NBA Rumors: Pelicans, Zion Williamson, Hornets, LaMelo Ball, Bucks

Pelicans

Pelicans star Zion Williamson is hurt again and the trade market has basically shrugged.

Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps of ESPN reported there is little interest in a Williamson deal right now. He’s out with another hamstring strain. It’s the fifth hamstring injury of his career. Teams don’t trust the durability and don’t want to inherit the risk, even with two non-guaranteed years left on his contract.

New Orleans doesn’t own its 2026 first. That matters. A teardown doesn’t benefit them. One rival exec told ESPN the real path probably isn’t moving Williamson at all.

“To be honest, their move might be a win-now trade, not a Zion trade,” the exec said. “His trade value isn’t there and they are facing some pressure to win.”

Hornets

Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is in a similar situation — talented, expensive, injury history — but Charlotte isn’t selling low either.

Ball has already missed two games with an ankle impingement. Brandon Miller is out with a shoulder injury. And the “young core rising together” idea has already hit turbulence.

“Yes, he’s talented, but he doesn’t take basketball seriously enough,” a Western Conference scout told ESPN. “Would someone take a flier on him? For sure. But Charlotte isn’t taking a flier price for him.”

Bucks

Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has calmed the noise for now. Milwaukee is 5-3. He’s averaging 32.3 points and shooting almost 68 percent.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier this fall that Giannis wanted 20 to 25 games before he decides whether this roster is truly built to contend.

So the clock hasn’t hit his evaluation checkpoint yet, as Bontemps and Windhorst noted.