New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson finds himself in an interesting position heading into the 2025 offseason. After a particularly disappointing end to this year’s campaign, the forward may find himself heading to the Eastern Conference to join the Detroit Pistons.
Despite flashes of brilliance, Williamson’s 2024–25 campaign ended in disappointment. The former No. 1 overall pick played just 100 games across the past two seasons, raising concerns about his durability. To make matters worse, he only appeared in 30 games this season before succumbing to a back injury.
Still, his talent remains undeniable. This season, he averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game on an efficient 56.7% shooting from the field.
For a Pistons team that is on the brink of turning into a perennial playoff side, adding a dynamic inside scorer and explosive athlete like Williamson could be transformative.
For Detroit, the appeal is obvious. Williamson could instantly elevate the team’s paint production, providing a devastating pick-and-roll lob threat next to a rising star like Cade Cunningham, and serving as a secondary rebounder alongside Jalen Duren.
His ability to draw defenders inside would also open perimeter looks for the Pistons’ shooters. Considering that the team featured shooters such as Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. this season, the Pistons could look at restructuring their offense simply by having Williamson pose as an inside threat.
From a contract standpoint, Zion isn’t cheap. He’s entering the third year of a five-year, $197 million extension signed in 2022. He is owed $39.4 million in the upcoming season. However, his trade value has declined rapidly due to pressing injury and health concerns. This could allow Detroit to acquire him at a relative discount.
Packaging expiring contracts, draft capital, and one rotation-ready young player could be enough to pique New Orleans’ interest. This is what a potential trade package would look like at the moment.
Proposed Trade Details:
Detroit Pistons Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Tobias Harris, Simone Fontecchio, 2026 First-Round Pick, 2028 First-Round Pick
Zion Williamson Benefits The Most From This Trade
For Zion Williamson, Detroit represents more than just a fresh start. Joining an up-and-coming team like the Pistons presents an opportunity to silence critics and redefine his career trajectory.
The Pistons are finally on the path to becoming a threat in the East while being driven forward by the core of Cunningham, Duren, and Ausar Thompson. Head coach JB Bickerstaff, known for emphasizing player development, might also be the right voice to guide the Pelicans forward back to fulfilling his star potential.
There will be several variables involved in this trade. As things stand, the Pelicans are in a terrible position when it comes to rebuilding. With an aging CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray completing an injury-prone backcourt, New Orleans doesn’t feature any pieces that jump off the page as game-changers. With this in mind, the team may benefit most from entering another rebuild by blowing it all up.
The Pistons are coming off a tough first-round exit after losing to the New York Knicks in six games. Although banking on Williamson’s mentality and displaying confidence in his ability to commit is a gamble, the Pistons would benefit greatly from it if it pays off.
