A massive trade proposal idea has the New Orleans Pelicans swapping Zion Williamson for a veteran All-Star and future Hall of Famer.
The No. 1 selection of the 2019 NBA Draft has been the subject of recent trade speculation. There have been multiple reports suggesting that Williamson’s relationship with the organization has started to sour.
At Fadeaway World, Ishaan Bhattacharya proposed a mammoth trade that has the Pelicans giving Williamson a) a fresh start and b) the chance to win a championship with an annual contender in the west.
Bhattacharya’s trade idea has the Pelicans sending Williamson to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for eight-time All-Star Paul George, Terance Mann and a top-10 protected 2029 first-round draft pick:
“If Zion isn’t the future for the franchise, the Pelicans need to delicately balance getting off him while retaining flexibility for the future. Paul George is perfect for that, as the player could be a free agent at the end of the year. In the short term, the Pelicans get a motivated George who needs to prove to the team and the rest of the league that he’s still worth a big contract…
George would fit into virtually any system in the NBA due to his natural 3-and-D ability while also being able to excel on and off the ball. He could beef up their backcourt and start alongside CJ McCollum or take a position on the frontcourt alongside Brandon Ingram. His versatility will also allow him to virtually fit in any lineups that include Trey Murphy, Herbert Jones, or even rookie Jordan Hawkins.”
Even though Williamson was limited to 29 games last season, the Pelicans finished with a winning record of 42-40. They qualified for the play-in tournament but were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder, falling 123-118.
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Injuries have limited Williamson to 114 games over his first four seasons. He also missed the entire 2021-22 campaign because of a foot injury.
Injuries have limited Williamson to 114 games over his first four seasons. He also missed the entire 2021-22 campaign because of a foot injury. That said, he’s been a difference-maker on the court with career averages of 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
This trade proposal would give New Orleans a proven star in George to help their dynamic duo of McCollum and Brandon Ingram. The Clippers, meanwhile, would be getting one of the game’s most prolific scorers to complement two-way superstar Kawhi Leonard.
The trade definitely makes sense for both teams on paper. Whether or not the Pelicans will look to trade Williamson before the start of the season remains to be seen, though.
