As the 2023 NBA Draft approaches, the New Orleans Pelicans have thrown their hat in the ring for highly regarded prospect Scoot Henderson who is projected to be selected with the top three picks.
Per NBA insider Marc Stein, rumor mills are churning suggesting that the Pelicans might consider trading Zion Williamson to secure a slot in the top three and acquire Henderson. The analyst mentions “a growing sense of frustration within the organization” regarding Williamson’s availability given his injury-riddled run in the league.
The Pelicans are considering the possibility of dealing Zion Williamson to Charlotte for the No. 2 pick
“Based on what I’m hearing, yes, the Pelicans are legitimately considering… doesn’t mean they would 100 percent do it, but they are considering the prospect of trying to… pic.twitter.com/PezisBXkwj
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 16, 2023
This news comes amid the development of Hornets owner Michael Jordan reportedly selling the team after 13 years as a majority owner. The sale will be to a group led by Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin and Atlanta Hawks minority owner Rick Schnall. Per Yahoo! Sports, “Jordan will reportedly oversee basketball operations during the 2023 NBA draft on June 22 and during the start of free agency on July 1.”
Coming back to Williamson and the Pelicans, the team extended their five-year, $194.3 million max contract to the forward despite his repeated injury woes.
This season, he played only 29 games averaging 26.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 4.6 APG. He is clearly All-Star material when he’s on the floor, but it’s unfortunate that it’s not a regular occurrence. Add his recent murky controversy involving pornstar Moriah Mills, it appears that the Pelicans are willing to look at alternative options.
The Pelicans Have Been Considering Trading Zion Williamson
Prior to his scandal, reports of the New Orleans front office considering trading Williamson broke casting his future in uncertainty.
Pelicans insider Jake Madison shared the inside info on the current relationship between Zion and the team, revealing that the front office has felt mad at the 22-year-old and has thought of trading him away.
“Based on my conversations with people on the team, there are times when they feel very fed up with Zion. Not enough to necessarily want to trade Zion Williamson away or actively start to do that.
“Again, they’re really trying to appease him with a big deal shake-up or the training staff, but it’s in their minds in some capacity. And you know, they’ve worked through some trade scenarios or what the return for him would be,” Maddison said on the Locked On Pelicans podcast.
Only time will tell what the future holds in store for Williamson.
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