According to NBA Insider Kevin O’Connor, the New Orleans Pelicans are now “gauging the market for everyone on their roster,” signaling a potential full-scale reset after a disastrous 2024–25 season.
That includes Zion Williamson, the franchise’s former No. 1 pick and cornerstone player, whose injury-plagued career has stalled what once looked like a championship-caliber rebuild.
This development follows a series of brutal setbacks. The Pelicans finished 21–61, the fourth-worst record in the NBA, despite entering the season with lofty ambitions. Their roster featured a blend of talent and depth, Zion, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, and newly acquired Dejounte Murray.
But the injury gods were cruel. Murray tore his ACL after just 31 games. Zion appeared in only 30 games himself, again sidelined by a combination of hamstring and back issues. The rest of the roster was ravaged as well, leading to another wasted year.
It’s no longer about tweaks or minor trades. This feels existential.
The Pelicans already fired President of Basketball Operations David Griffin, replacing him with Joe Dumars, who now carries the enormous responsibility of reshaping the franchise. And according to Pelicans insider Shamit Dua, ownership reportedly wants Dumars to trade Zion Williamson, a mandate Dumars later denied publicly, but one that many believe reflects internal pressure to start fresh.
Dumars was diplomatic during his introductory press conference, saying he’s had “exceptional conversations” with Zion since joining the organization. However, he also spoke pointedly about accountability and setting non-negotiable standards, an indirect shot at Zion’s well-documented issues with conditioning, availability, and off-court distractions.
The reality is hard to ignore: Zion has played in only 214 of a possible 472 games since being drafted in 2019. That’s less than 46 percent. He has never appeared in a playoff game and is on a five-year, $197 million contract that could become an albatross if injuries persist.
Even when Zion is healthy, his impact has been blunted by the uncertainty around him. The flashes of brilliance, his explosive scoring, gravity in transition, and unstoppable paint presence are real. But so are the doubts. Is he a player you can build around? Or one you constantly have to plan around?
O’Connor’s report doesn’t just indicate that Zion is available; it confirms that no player on the Pelicans’ roster is considered untouchable. That includes Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, and even young talent like Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. Dumars is clearly being empowered to explore any and all pathways toward sustainable success, and that might mean selling high, getting younger, and maximizing future flexibility.
This offseason could be the most important in franchise history. If they trade Zion, it likely means moving on from the entire vision that began when they won the 2019 lottery. The team’s future would then hinge on return packages, draft capital, and a culture reset under Dumars.
The Pelicans have talked about building something for years. Now, they’re asking if it’s even worth trying to fix.
