A bold and risky trade idea making the rounds has the Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans swapping two of the league’s most talented yet injury-prone stars, each with massive contracts and uncertain futures.
Proposed trade:
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Zion Williamson, Karlo Matkovic
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Paul George, 2030 Philadelphia 76ers first-round pick, 2031 Philadelphia 76ers first-round pick swap
From a salary perspective, Philadelphia would be sending out $51.6 million and taking back $39.4 million, while New Orleans would send out $41.4 million and absorb George’s hefty $51.6 million cap hit. On paper, the numbers work.
On the court, however, it’s a gamble that could either rejuvenate two struggling franchises or set them back for years.
The Sixers Get Another Shot With A Younger Star
For the Sixers, the move would be an aggressive attempt to reset around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey by adding Zion Williamson, a player with generational offensive efficiency when healthy. Last season, Zion averaged 24.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting a remarkable 58.9% from the field. Yet, the number that overshadows those stats is his availability.
In his five-year career, Zion has played in just 214 out of a possible 482 regular-season games, only 44.4%, missing the equivalent of over three full seasons due to injuries and other absences. He suited up for only 30 games last year, leaving both fans and the Pelicans front office frustrated.
Zion is in the third year of his five-year, $197 million deal, meaning the Sixers would be taking on long-term salary but at a slightly lower annual figure than George.
Alongside Zion, Philadelphia would also acquire 6’11” forward Karlo Matkovic, who averaged 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds on 57.4% shooting. Karlo is on a team-friendly contract with two years remaining, $1.9 million this season, and a $2.3 million team option next season.
The Sixers’ motivation to push this deal comes from two angles: moving off George’s massive contract while adding a younger, higher-ceiling player in Zion, and Karlo Matkovic, a forward they could use as trade assets until the February deadline.
Philadelphia’s 2024-25 season was a disaster, finishing 13th in the East with a 24-58 record as Embiid, George, and Maxey all missed significant time. Moving George while his value hasn’t completely bottomed out might be their best chance to escape a financial chokehold.
The Pelicans Take Big Risk But Get Crucial Picks
The Pelicans’ perspective is complicated. They endured a miserable 21-61 season that saw injuries ravage the roster. While Zion remains their most marketable star, his inability to stay on the floor makes their long-term planning murky.
In this deal, they would flip him for Paul George, a player whose skill set, elite two-way play, and perimeter scoring fit perfectly alongside Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, and Trey Murphy III. But George is hardly a beacon of durability himself.
At 35 years old, George averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 43.0% from the field and 35.8% from deep in just 41 games last season. He is in year two of a four-year, $211 million contract, one of the most untradeable deals in the NBA given his age and injury history.
If George breaks down further, the Pelicans could find themselves stuck with a declining veteran taking up over $50 million in annual cap space.
Most importantly, the Pelicans would receive two future first-round picks in 2030 and 2031, giving them extra assets for potential future moves.
For the Pelicans, the calculus is different. They’ve been waiting years for Zion to be their franchise centerpiece, but his continued absence forces them to consider if it’s time to cut ties. George, when healthy, brings elite perimeter defense, playoff experience, and a more reliable outside shot than Zion.
But the Pelicans would be betting that George can stay on the floor enough to help them win now, especially with their young core still developing.
It’s A Risky Move For Both Teams
From a risk-reward standpoint, the trade is volatile for both teams. Philadelphia would be banking on Zion staying healthy enough to form a dominant inside-out duo with Embiid, a pairing that could be unstoppable offensively but extremely fragile.
The two have a combined injury history that could derail entire seasons if luck doesn’t swing their way. The Pelicans, meanwhile, would be hoping George can age gracefully and provide a stabilizing veteran presence while avoiding the same injury pitfalls that have plagued Zion.
Ultimately, this trade would be a gamble driven by desperation. Both franchises are coming off nightmare seasons, both have been stuck with injured stars eating up huge portions of their cap space, and both might see this as a chance to hit the reset button without going into a full rebuild.
If it works, the Sixers could have the most dominant frontcourt in the league, and the Pelicans could have a veteran leader capable of guiding their talented core deep into the playoffs. If it fails, it could leave both teams trapped with unmovable contracts and fan bases wondering why they took such a high-stakes swing in the first place.
