Zion Williamson was supposed to be the face of the Pelicans, the generational talent who would lead New Orleans to championship contention. But as we continue with the 2024-25 season, the reality is far different and it has been an utter disaster. Zion has only played 21 games, averaging 24.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, and still doesn’t look in shape.
The Pelicans have suffered as a result, holding a putrid 16-44 record, and they were forced to trade Brandon Ingram before the trade deadline. The Pelicans now face a tough decision: continue to build around a player who has played at least 65 games once in six years or continue blowing it up.
Zion is still just 24 years old, and when healthy, he’s a force of nature who can change a team’s trajectory overnight. If New Orleans decides to shake things up, these seven teams make the most sense as trade partners—either as win-now contenders looking for a superstar or rebuilding teams willing to take a risk on Zion’s upside. Let’s break down the best landing spots, including intriguing fits like the Bulls and Thunder, who could give the former No. 1 pick a fresh start.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Potential Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Zion Williamson, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Kenrich Williams, Nikola Topic, 2028 First-Round Pick (DAL)
The Thunder have built a near-perfect modern NBA roster, but what they lack is a dominant interior presence who can take over games physically. Zion could be that missing piece. Imagine him running alongside MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.4 PPG) and Chet Holmgren—two stars who complement his game beautifully.
OKC wouldn’t even be giving up any of their core players in this deal, meaning they’d still have an elite perimeter defense, lethal shooting, and one of the deepest rosters in the league. The risk is obvious—Zion’s health—but if there’s any franchise equipped to take that gamble, it’s the Thunder, given their endless draft assets and young talent.
For New Orleans, the trade gives them valuable young role players like Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, both of whom have thrived in OKC’s development system. Nikola Topic, a top international prospect, is an exciting long-term play at the guard position.
The 2028 first-round pick from Dallas could be extremely valuable, especially given Luka Doncic isn’t on the team anymore. While it’s not a star-laden return, this package allows the Pelicans to retool around a more balanced roster, rather than continuing to bank on Zion’s availability.
Houston Rockets
Potential Trade Details
Houston Rockets Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, Steven Adams, 2025 First-Round Pick (BKN)
Houston has been quietly stockpiling young talent, and Zion would make their frontcourt one of the most physically imposing in the league. Pairing him with Alperen Sengun (18.9 PPG, 10.6 RPG) and Jalen Green (21.6 PPG) would create an explosive offensive trio, and under Ime Udoka’s defensive-minded coaching, Zion might finally reach his potential as a two-way force.
The Rockets are also one of the few teams that could afford to take this risk, given their abundance of young talent and assets. If this trade doesn’t work out, they still have a core of Sengun, Green, and Amen Thompson to build around.
For New Orleans, Jabari Smith Jr. is the crown jewel of this trade. He’s a budding star who has shown flashes of being an elite two-way forward, making him a perfect fit next to Herb Jones and the new core of the team.
Reed Sheppard is a No. 3 overall pick who has yet to show his potential because he isn’t getting playing time but could be useful for a rebuilding side. Steven Adams provides much-needed toughness and rebounding in the interior as well. The Pelicans wouldn’t get a massive draft haul here, but securing a potential future All-Star in Smith Jr. makes this a compelling deal.
San Antonio Spurs
Potential Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Chris Paul (sign and trade), 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2028 First-Round Pick (BOS)
Pairing Zion Williamson with Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox is either a genius move or a complete disaster waiting to happen. On paper, the idea of combining the most hyped prospect since LeBron James with one of the most dominant interior forces in basketball is more than interesting.
Zion’s ability to finish around the rim, combined with Wemby’s defensive prowess, could make the Spurs an absolute nightmare for opponents. However, Zion’s fit in San Antonio’s system—and more importantly, his ability to stay on the court—remains a massive question mark.
For the Pelicans, this deal brings in a trio of young talents in Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, and veteran Chris Paul. Sochan, in particular, is a defensive menace who fits New Orleans’ need for versatile forwards (11.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG).
Chris Paul could go back to New Orleans and bring a feel-good factor there, while the three first-round picks give them flexibility for the future, allowing them to either draft new talent or use those assets in another blockbuster trade. If the Pelicans decide to start fresh, this could be one of the best long-term packages available.
Detroit Pistons
Potential Trade Details
Detroit Pistons Receive: Zion Williamson, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, Tim Hardaway Jr., 2029 First-Round Pick (DET)
The Pistons are a team in desperate need of a co-star for Cade Cunningham. After years of rebuilding, they’ve yet to find a true franchise player, and taking a gamble on Zion could be their ticket to relevance.
Pairing him with Cunningham would instantly transform their offense, as Zion’s interior dominance would complement Cade’s elite playmaking perfectly. While Detroit’s long-term outlook is uncertain, adding Zion could finally give them a marketable star who can change their trajectory.
For the Pelicans, this deal is all about Jalen Duren (11.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG). The young center has been one of the league’s most promising big men, averaging close to a double-double while showcasing elite rebounding and defensive potential. Isaiah Stewart provides frontcourt toughness, while Tim Hardaway Jr. adds veteran shooting.
The 2029 first-round pick from Detroit could also become extremely valuable, especially if the Pistons fail to turn things around. If New Orleans wants a package that prioritizes a high-upside young big man over draft picks, this could be the move to make.
Chicago Bulls
Potential Trade Details
Chicago Bulls Receive: Zion Williamson, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Nikola Vucevic, Patrick Williams, 2025 First-Round Pick (POR), 2027 First-Round Pick (CHI)
The Bulls have been stuck in NBA purgatory, hovering around the play-in tournament without a real path toward championship contention. Trading for Zion Williamson could be their ultimate swing at relevance, giving them a true franchise player with MVP upside if he can stay healthy.
Pairing Zion with Zach LaVine (if he re-signs after the end of next season) and Coby White would instantly give Chicago an offensive identity and they’d be a playoff team in the East. Losing Patrick Williams stings given his two-way potential, but the Bulls have struggled to unlock his offensive ceiling, and Zion’s star power is simply on another level.
For New Orleans, this move provides structure and depth. Nikola Vucevic isn’t a long-term solution, but he’s a serviceable veteran big who can stabilize their frontcourt. Patrick Williams is the key piece here, as the Pelicans would hope to mold him into their next defensive anchor.
Add in two valuable first-round picks—one coming from Portland, which could be a lottery pick—and this deal makes sense for a franchise that may be looking to reset after multiple frustrating seasons.
Brooklyn Nets
Potential Trade Details
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Recieve: Cameron Johnson, Ziaire Williams, Noah Clowney, 2025 First-Round Pick (via MIL), 2031 First-Round Pick
The Brooklyn Nets are desperate for star power after failing to recover from the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving era. Zion would immediately bring excitement back to Brooklyn, forming a frontcourt duo with Nic Claxton that could be incredibly dynamic in transition.
The Nets have a solid young piece in Cam Thomas, and Zion could be the missing piece that elevates them beyond mediocrity. However, the biggest concern here is whether Zion would be enough to make Brooklyn a serious contender in the East, given that they’d still lack a true superstar playmaker.
New Orleans, meanwhile, would get a solid package headlined by Cameron Johnson, a proven two-way wing with excellent shooting ability. Ziaire Williams, a former lottery pick, offers intriguing upside, while Noah Clowney is a defensive-minded big man who fits the Pelicans’ long-term plans. The 2025 first-round pick from Milwaukee is the real prize, as it could become extremely valuable if the Bucks falter in the post-Giannis era.
Charlotte Hornets
Potential Trade Details
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Recieve: Miles Bridges, Josh Okogie, 2029 First-Round Pick, 2031 First-Round Pick
The Hornets have been stuck in NBA irrelevance for years, with LaMelo Ball (26.3 PPG, 7.1 APG) as their only true franchise cornerstone. Adding Zion would not only give them another young star, but it would also provide them with the box-office appeal they desperately need.
A one-two punch of LaMelo and Zion would be among the most entertaining in the league, provided they can stay healthy. The Hornets also have the patience to take a long-term approach with Zion, something not all teams can afford.
For the Pelicans, this deal gives them multiple first-round picks and a high-upside wing in Miles Bridges (if they’re willing to overlook his off-court issues). The recently-acquired Josh Okogie would have to leave in this trade and he brings hard-nosed defense for the Pelicans at 26 years old.
The extra draft capital helps New Orleans reshape its future. This is more of a draft-focused trade than a win-now move, but it could be the best option if the Pelicans want to fully transition away from the Zion era.
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