NBA

NBA insiders don’t rule out the New Orleans Pelicans potentially moving Zion Williamson this offseason

Pelicans coach Willie Green: "Zion Williamson looked amazing"

Reports around the league yesterday told us that the New Orleans Pelicans want to move up to the #2 or #3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. NBA insider Shams Charania said that the Pelicans want to make a trade-up to select PG Scoot Henderson. However, Charnaia is not ruling out New Orleans being open to moving Zion Williamson this offseason. 

Back in the 2019 NBA Draft, Williamson was selected first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans. He was thought to be one of the league’s next greatest superstars. Willaimson has been far from that in his time as a pro. Injuries have derailed the start of his career and he’s been fighting an uphill battle since entering the league.

The Hornets hold the #2 overall pick and the Portland Trail Blazers have the #3 overall pick. Currently, the Pelicans have the 14th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Scoot Henderson is not going to be available that late. He’s a top-three pick in the draft.

Is Zion Williamson on the chopping block for the Pelicans this off-season?

In four seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, Zion Williamson has played in only 114 career games. In two of his three seasons, he’s played less than 30 games. Williamson also missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a foot injury. The two-time all-star has been far from reliable for the Pelicans.

You can’t blame New Orleans if they do in fact want to move on from Williamson. They expected him to be so much more than he has been for their franchise. Injuries have decimated his career and he could be one of the biggest busts in sports history.

This is all just speculation from Shams Charania. However, what he says makes complete sense. Williamson has been a huge disappointment for the Pelicans and they may be ready to move on. Moving up to #2 or #3 in the draft gives them a chance to draft another top pick that can hopefully live up to the hype. The 2023 NBA Draft is next Thursday, June 22.