Offseason trade proposal sends Pelicans’ Zion Williamson to Blazers

One NBA writer proposed that the Portland Trail Blazers trade for New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson this offseason. 

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Blazers and Pelicans: 

The Portland Trail Blazers receive: Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins

The New Orleans Pelicans receive: Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, Duop Reath, a 2025 first-rounder, an $11.8 million trade exception (Williamson) and an $4.7 million trade exception (Hawkins)

Williamson has appeared in 30 games for the Pelicans this season. The first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft is averaging 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 56.7% from the field and 65.6% from the free-throw line. 

A two-time All-Star, Williamson will make $39,446,090 next season, $42,166,510 in 2026-27 and $44,886,930 in 2027-28, the final year of his contract. 

“Adding a talent like Williamson, even with the injury risk, may be too hard for the Blazers to pass up,” Pincus wrote. “It’s because of said risk that they would even have a shot at one of the most dominant scoring forwards in the league. Regarding what they’re giving up, Simons is heading into the final year of his contract at $27.7 million. With Scoot Henderson growing into his role and the dual emergence of Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara as core players for the Blazers, Simons may be expendable. The decision may be tougher for Sharpe, but the third-year guard hasn’t had as strong of a year as the franchise had hoped, and he’s extension-eligible this summer. Portland likely wouldn’t be eager to give up the pair unless it’s for a player of Williamson’s caliber.”

Williamson has career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He’s played in 214 games since entering the NBA. 

The Pelicans have made the playoffs twice since drafting Williamson.

However, Williamson has never appeared in a postseason game due to injuries. 

“Williamson’s uncertain availability for a team that isn’t a playoff lock in the West suggests it’s time for a change,” Pincus wrote. “CJ McCollum has one year left on his contract at $30.7 million, and Simons is a younger version of him. Sharpe, one of the most explosive young wings in the league, could thrive in New Orleans. With Williamson off the roster, the Pelicans can invest more time into their two first-round picks (roughly No. 4 and No. 11, although the Blazers aren’t likely to trade their selection if they jump from their projected slot), current rookie center Yves Missi, Herbert Jones, Simons, Sharpe and Trey Murphy.”