A new odds-on favorite has emerged to acquire New Orleans Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson in a potential league-altering trade.
Zion Williamson has been the subject of trade rumors for several years now, due largely to durability issues and questions about his leadership skills. Heading into Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pelicans carry an ugly 3-8 record, having lost five in a row.
If things don’t turn around in the Big Easy soon, the front office could very well decide to move out the first-overall pick of 2019. Despite his worrisome injury history, Williamson would net a king’s ransom in a trade to help New Orleans’ rebuild.
According to the Bovada sportsbook, LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers are the new betting favorites to acquire Zion Williamson in a trade at +600. They’re followed by the Houston Rockets (+750) and city rival Los Angeles Clippers (+850).
The New York Knicks (+900) and Atlanta Hawks (+1200) round out the top five.
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The Lakers have been searching for a third star to complement James and Anthony Davis following their 2020 NBA Championship triumph in the Orlando bubble. The Russell Westbrook trade was a failure, and a lack of resources (namely first-round picks) has prevented the front office from adding another game-changer.
Over his first six games of 2024-25, Zion Williamson has averaged 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, with the latter two marking career bests up to this point. He’s shooting 45.2 percent from the field, and 33.3 percent from downtown.
Zion Williamson Would Make Lakers The Team To Beat In The West
The Lakers are still a tier below the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors. But if they could somehow form a new “big three” of James, Davis and Williamson, the Purple and Gold would emerge as the new front-runners to win the West.
