Though he hasn’t requested a trade, New Orleans Pelicans’ star Zion Williamson has been widely mentioned in trade rumors throughout the summer.
The Duke product has been the dynamic scorer and playmaker everybody envisioned when New Orleans picked him first overall back in the 2019 draft. Unfortunately, injuries have limited Williamson to 114 games over his first four seasons. He missed the entire 2021-22 season dealing with a foot injury.
If the Pelicans ultimately decide to shop Williamson, could one of the Pelicans’ Southwest Division rivals emerge as a potential landing spot?
At NBA Analysis Network, James Piercey proposed a massive trade idea that has New Orleans sending Williamson to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Doug McDermott, Keldon Johnson and first-round picks in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027:
“How many teams in NBA history have had two players with this much anticipation as prospects? The answer is none. We’ve never seen two guys so widely regarded as potential franchise players on the same team at this stage of their careers.
The fit between them could be seamless as well. The inside/outside dynamic between (Victor) Wembanyama and Williamson could lead to some elite offense. On the defensive end, Wembanyama’s abilities as a rim protector and roamer could offset Williamson’s limitations. If everything clicks, they’ll look like two generational prospects on the same team.”
Like Williamson four years ago, 2023 first overall pick Victor Wembanyama enters the NBA with astronomical hype and expectations. Wembanyama is considered to be the best prospect since LeBron James, who entered the NBA as an 18-year-old 20 years ago.
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A healthy Williamson playing alongside Wembanyama would certainly make for must-watch television in San Antonio. Wembanyama alone makes everything that much more exciting for this once-proud organization, but adding Williamson would make the Spurs immediate title contenders.
For his career, the 23-year-old Williamson has averaged 25.8 points, seven rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He has a remarkable 60.5 field goal percentage and has drained 34.3 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.
