5 blockbuster trade scenarios for Zion Williamson with Pelicans reportedly shopping him

Zion Williamson is reportedly on the trading block as the New Orleans Pelicans look to move on from the former No. 1 pick. Williamson has been an injury-prone player throughout his years in New Orleans, playing only 190 games since being drafted in 2019.

Once regarded as a franchise cornerstone, Williamson has not been healthy enough to create an impact with the Pelicans. As per a report by The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the team is shopping Williamson, along with CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, to embark on a new chapter.

"Based on the reporting intel, Trey Murphy and Herb Jones are at a certain level for them,” Buha wrote. "They want to keep them. Those are two guys that are going to have a high price to give up, similar to L.A. with Austin Reaves.

"Seems like Zion, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum are the three guys they've been shopping more in terms of their core starters, and Dejounte Murray has not."

Williamson has only played six games this season before going down with a hamstring strain. The Pelicans have since been underwhelming, only recording five wins in the season’s first 30 games to have the worst win-loss slate in the Western Conference.

Now that Zion Williamson is on the market, here are possible blockbuster trade destinations for the Pelicans superstar.

5 possible blockbuster trade destinations for Zion Williamson

#5. Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons' Cade Cuningham, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey - Source: Imagn

The Detroit Pistons have been on a resurgence this season. Led by former top pick Cade Cunningham, the Pistons have a 13-17 win-loss record to start the season, putting them within the play-in race.

Detroit has a roster full of young stars such as Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. Packaging some of them, along with future draft picks, could be enough for the Pelicans to bite and trigger their rebuild.

Zion Williamson, when healthy, can add firepower around Cunningham as the Pistons try to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, the year when they had Blake Griffin, a forward who was often compared to Williamson.

#4. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks' core - Source: Imagn

The Atlanta Hawks have not played with an All-Star caliber player in his career. A trade for Zion Williamson could put an end to it.

The Hawks have a solid young core consisting of Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Vit Krejci and Onyeka Okongwu, all of whom can be used to snag Williamson.

Additionally, the team is also looking to trade its starting center Clint Capela, allowing the Hawks to upgrade their lineup if Williamson stays healthy this season.

#3. OKC Thunder

OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams - Source: Imagn

The OKC Thunder has been the best team in the NBA, yet they still have the most assets among all the franchises. With a plethora of draft picks and promising young players, Oklahoma City could offer the Pelicans all they want to snatch Zion Williamson.

The Thunder could offer a package centered around Jalen Williams or Cason Wallace, plus numerous picks to lure the Pelicans into helping the current top West team be even better.

If he manages to play, Williamson could add a new dynamic to the Thunder’s offense, which has been lethal with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren.

Williamson could also add heft to the Thunder’s frontcourt, as they have been playing small since Holmgren had an injury early in the season.

#2. Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Nets' Cam Johnson - Source: Imagn

The Brooklyn Nets could be a perfect landing spot for Zion Williamson, as he can shine as the team’s focal point. The Nets could offer Cam Johnson or Nic Claxton as the headliner of a potential package for Williamson, who can have a fresh start with a big-market franchise.

The Nets can also revive their team by adding a marquee name to the roster, putting him in the Brooklyn limelight where he can build his star even bigger.

Again, availability would dictate how Williamson could be remembered in Brooklyn, but having him in the lineup would excite Nets fans, who have been hungry for star power since the departures of James Harden and Kevin Durant.

#1. San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs - Source: Imagn

The San Antonio Spurs, often regarded as one of the premier franchises in the NBA, could buy low and hope for the best for Zion Williamson.

The Spurs also have a young player on their roster that the Pelicans may want. They also have the future picks that the Pelicans may need to pull the trigger on a Williamson trade.

The Spurs could pair him with Victor Wembanyama, creating one of the scariest frontcourt combinations in the league.