Analyst reveals bombshell update on potential Zion Williamson trade
from Jeff Smith, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
For those on the side of the Zion Williamson trade talk hoping to see the 22-year-old get dealt, the latest report to come out will bring you plenty of joy. With the New Orleans Pelicans reportedly looking to make a move up in the 2023 NBA Draft in an effort to select guard Scoot Henderson, Williamson’s name has been front-and-center.
As Bill Simmons revealed on ‘The Bill Simmons’ podcast, he was told that Zion packing his bags and being dealt is going to happen before Thursday’s draft.
“I had somebody tell me yesterday that I trust that he [Zion Williamson] will not be on that team on Thursday. I was like, ‘really, I haven’t heard that. And they were like ‘you watch.'” Simmons stated.
Bill Simmons saying that a reliable source informed him Zion will no longer be on the Pelicans come Thursday. ? pic.twitter.com/wmK2d1x0ee
— J?? D??U??B??B?? (@TheMindOfJDubb) June 19, 2023
It’s certainly the strongest statement that’s been said publicly to this point in relation to Williamson’s potential move from New Orleans, although it wouldn’t be the most surprising outcome. Assuming the Pelicans push to move up in the draft and select Henderson, Zion makes sense as the potential centerpiece of a deal.
As Marc Stein reported in The Stein Line, there’s a “rising level of exasperation” within the Pelicans organization regarding Williamson’s lack of availability and “overall approach.” However, there are two big potential issues in all the trade talk, beginning with the move the Pelicans would likely have to make to ensure they can select Henderson.
With the San Antonio Spurs locked in with Victor Wembanyama at No. 1, the Pelicans would need to move up to No. 2 to avoid losing the G League Ignite star to another team. That pick is currently held by the Charlotte Hornets, and as The Athletic’s Shams Charania revealed in a recent appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’ he doesn’t know if the Hornets would want Zion but believes the team wants Brandon Ingram.
“The Pelicans want to go get [Henderson],” Charania said. “Realistically, the only way you’re going to get a guy like that is you’re gonna have to give up a guy like Zion Williamson. What I have heard is I don’t know if the Hornets would want Zion. I think who the Hornets want is Brandon Ingram.”
This comes on the heels of Marc Stein reporting that the Pelicans would be “less inclined” to trade Ingram as opposed to Williamson.
All things considered, the Pelicans have an uphill battle to strike the deal that ensures they land Henderson, and even with all the roadblocks along the way, they’ll also have to hope the Hornets are even open to trading the No. 2 pick.