A major trade proposal has the New Orleans Pelicans sending superstar Zion Williamson to an up-and-coming team in the Eastern Conference.
Williamson’s name has floated in trade rumors amid reports of a souring relationship between the No. 1 selection of the 2019 NBA Draft and the Pelicans’ organization. Williamson hasn’t formally requested a trade, however, and the Pelicans haven’t offered any hints that they’re looking to trade their franchise star.
But what if a team with young assets like the Detroit Pistons came forward and submitted the Pelicans a proposal that they wouldn’t be able to turn down?
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley proposed a massive trade that has the Pistons acquiring Williamson and Kira Lewis Jr. in exchange for James Wiseman, Bojan Bogdanović Killian Hayes plus 2026 and 2028 first-round picks:
“Should Williamson finally stay healthy, after totaling just 114 appearances in his first four seasons, he could help launch Detroit up the Eastern Conference standings. Between Williamson and Cade Cunningham, who has hinted at a breakout in his time with the Select Team, the Pistons could have the league’s next dynamic duo…
For someone who has played as little as Williamson has, this is a healthy return. Bogdanović is a plug-and-play 20-point scorer who could address New Orleans’ need for shooting. The rest of the package is future-focused, but it includes a pair of top-10 picks from the 2020 draft (Wiseman was No. 2, Hayes was No. 7) and a pair of future firsts from a franchise with two playoff trips and zero series wins since 2010.”
As Buckley noted, Williamson has only played 114 games through two seasons; he missed the entire 2021-22 campaign because of a foot injury. But there’s no denying his all-world talents and game-changing abilities when Williamson is on the court.
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The 23-year-old Williamson has averaged 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in his young career. Last season, he averaged 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
Adding Williamson to a young core lead by Cunningham, 2022 fifth overall pick Jaden Ivey and rookie Ausar Thompson would certainly help the Pistons emerge as a playoff contender in the East.
