A bold trade idea making the rounds proposes that the Brooklyn Nets could acquire former No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a promising package of assets. The trade goes as follows:
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Nicolas Claxton, Cameron Johnson, 2025 No. 19 pick, 2025 No. 26 pick
On paper, this may look like a lot for a player with a checkered injury history, but the deeper you go, the more it makes sense for both sides, particularly the Pelicans.
The Pelicans Would Take This Deal Without Hesitation
Zion Williamson’s time in New Orleans has been a rollercoaster of potential, disappointment, and medical reports. Since being drafted first overall in 2019, Zion has played just 214 games across six seasons.
The sheer lack of availability has handcuffed the franchise’s ability to build consistent chemistry or playoff momentum. Despite this, Zion has put up career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, shooting an efficient 58.9% from the field and 32.7% from three. The talent is undeniable, but the reliability is not.
The proposed return for the Pelicans is actually quite impressive when you consider the risk Zion poses moving forward. Nicolas Claxton is a highly respected young center, coming off a strong year where he continued to improve defensively and showed flashes of growth as a rim-runner and shot-blocker.
Cameron Johnson, meanwhile, is one of the league’s most efficient 3-and-D wings, capable of stretching the floor with elite shooting and holding his own on the perimeter. He’s also under contract, providing the Pelicans with a valuable asset on a reasonable deal.
Add to that two first-round picks in the upcoming 2025 Draft, including the No. 19 and No. 26 selections, and it’s a deal the Pelicans should jump at, especially with their current direction under new leadership looking more like a retool than a championship push.
The Nets Take A Big Risk—But It Could Pay Off
For Brooklyn, this is a gamble. A massive one. But it’s also the kind of gamble that franchises in their position often need to make.
The Nets are sitting on cap space and draft capital. With no superstar on the roster and a clear void post-Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, taking a swing at a franchise-changing talent like Zion could spark a new era. If Zion stays healthy, a massive if, he could be the face of the franchise, a walking highlight reel capable of averaging 25+ points per night on elite efficiency.
He still has three years left on his contract, giving the Nets time to build around him and assess his long-term viability. And with a low-pressure environment in Brooklyn and better sports science staff, Zion may finally get the consistent care and structure he needs.
The cost, Claxton, Johnson, and two mid-to-late first-round picks, is steep. But it’s a fair price for a player who, despite all the setbacks, still possesses superstar upside. If he hits, Brooklyn might just pull off one of the most transformative trades of the decade.
This Could Be A High-Risk, High-Reward Trade
This trade is a clear win for the Pelicans, who would gain two quality starters and a pair of first-round picks while moving on from Zion’s injury-plagued tenure. For the Nets, it’s a high-risk, high-reward swing.
If Zion stays healthy, they could land a generational talent at a discount. But if the injuries persist, Brooklyn could end up empty-handed after giving up key assets. It’s a big gamble, but one that might be worth the risk.
