Offseason trade proposal sends Zion Williamson to Rockets

One NBA analyst proposed that the Houston Rockets acquire Zion Williamson from the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason. 

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Rockets and Pelicans: 

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: PF Jabari Smith Jr., G Reed Sheppard, F Tari Eason, C Jock Landale

Houston Rockets Receive: PF Zion Williamson

Williamson will make $39.4 million next season, $42.2 million in 2026-27 and $44.9 million in 2027-28.

He becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2028. 

“Williamson has been healthy and productive lately (26.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists over his last 15 games), only missing three of his past 18 contests,” Swartz wrote. “The Pelicans should use this rare opportunity to trade the oft-injured 24-year-old now and reset the roster around a new group of young talent. If the Rockets bow out of the West playoffs early and talk themselves into pairing Williamson with Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün, Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet and Cam Whitmore, the Pelicans should be thrilled to add Smith, Sheppard and Eason to a core of Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, Yves Missi, Jordan Hawkins and others. The Williamson era in New Orleans has been a huge disappointment. The Pels need to trade him now while there’s still value before another injury-plagued season unfolds.”

New Orleans drafted Williamson with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The most games Williamson has played in a season is 70.

Williamson has career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 214 games. 

According to NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN, several teams would have significant interest in a Williamson trade if the Pelicans make him available.

NBA reporter Michael C. Wright of ESPN also reported in February that Williamson was at his lightest weight since getting drafted by the Pelicans. 

“I remember Bobby (Marks) and I wrote a story just before Zion’s return discussing what might come next for him, his trade value and market potential,” MacMahon said. “Someone told us then that the goal was to ramp him up and restore his value, whether for the Pelicans or another team. To his credit, he’s handling that first part well. Some teams would have significant interest.”