NBA Trade Rumors: Pelicans consider offloading $33,000,000 veteran amid Zion Williamson & Brandon Ingram trade buzz

The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly open to trading veteran guard CJ McCollum, according to NBA insider Brett Siegel. Additionally, there has been trade buzz surrounding former All-Stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

New Orleans sits at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 5-29 record, a far cry from the expectations entering the 2024-25 season. With their subpar campaign, the team is reevaluating the future of its players.

McCollum is in the final two years of his $64 million contract. He is earning $33 million this season and $30 million next season. Siegel wrote:

“The Pelicans have expressed a level of openness with teams around the league to discuss McCollum's future, sources said. The veteran guard is making $33.3 million this season and sees his contract value decrease by about $2.67 million next season."

"Whether or not a market exists for the 33-year-old is an unknown leading up to the trade deadline."

In December, insider Marc Stein reported that New Orleans is prepared to trade most players on its roster. The only players considered untouchable are Herb Jones, Yves Missi and Trey Murphy III.

“While naturally resistant to trade inquiries for their younger gems ... word is that the Pelicans are essentially open to trade pitches for pretty much anyone else on the roster apart from those three amid a 5-21 start and more injury woes than even Philadelphia,” Stein reported.

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The Pelicans are "unlikely" to trade Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson has only appeared in six games this season, averaging 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He has been sidelined since Nov. 8 due to a left hamstring strain. Despite trade speculation, the organization reportedly intends to keep its star forward for the remainder of the season, per Siegel.

Citing sources, Siegel reported that unless the Pelicans receive a trade package that blows them away, it is unlikely the team will trade the two-time All-Star.

Williamson has yet to practice with the team but has slowly shown improvement while injured. So far, New Orleans has not given an update on when he'll return.