According to NBA insider Shamit Dua, New Orleans Pelicans ownership will mandate Joe Dumars to trade Zion Williamson this summer.
Dumars is finalizing a deal to become the new president of basketball operations for the Pelicans. The Hall of Famer returns to his home state of Louisiana and replaces David Griffin as the head of basketball operations for a New Orleans franchise in need of a lot of help.
Williamson has played in just 45% of his possible games with the Pelicans since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The lefty has never played in a postseason game.
Williamson appeared in 30 games for the Pelicans this season. He averaged 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 has career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 214 games.
The Pelicans signed Williamson to a five-year, $197 million extension in 2022. Williamson will make $39,446,090 next season, $42,166,510 in 2026-27 and $44,886,930 in 2027-28, the final season of his contract.
According to NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN, several teams would have significant interest in a Williamson trade if the Pelicans make him available.
“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.”
NBA reporter Michael C. Wright of ESPN reported in February that Williamson was at his lightest weight since getting drafted by the Pelicans, who went only 21-61 this season. They had the second-worst record in the West.
It will be interesting to see where Williamson is playing next season. The North Carolina native turns 25 in July.
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