According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly ready to move on from All-Star forward Zion Williamson. On Sunday, the Pelicans said they are open to trading everyone on their roster. However, they submitted a few names who are considered to be their untouchables.
Unfortunately for Williamson, his name wasn’t on the list of players the New Orleans organization considers untouchable. Stein and Fischer revealed that the Pelicans plan to keep Herb Jones, Yves Missi, and Trey Murphy III.
“While naturally resistant to trade inquiries for their younger gems — Herb Jones, rookie Yves Missi and Trey Murphy III — 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 woe than even Philadelphia.”
The New Orleans Pelicans are open to trading anyone on their roster except Herb Jones, Yves Missi, and Trey Murphy III, per @TheSteinLine & @JakeLFischer
“While naturally resistant to trade inquiries for their younger gems — Herb Jones, rookie Yves Missi and Trey Murphy III —… pic.twitter.com/8WX5cKQRjo
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 15, 2024
Williamson has been sidelined indefinitely due to a hamstring ailment, making just six appearances during the 2024–25 NBA season. The two-time All-Star is on the second year of his fully guaranteed five-year, $197 million deal. With his health issues, the Pelicans haven’t gotten what they’ve demanded in return from the 6-foot-6 star, which is his availability.
In his six-game appearance this season, Zion Williamson has averaged 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
NBA Insider explores Zion Williamson’s trade to the Golden State Warriors
While Zion Williamson has suffered plenty of injuries in his young career, there is still a team rumored to be an ideal destination for him. There have been rumors linking Williamson to the Golden State Warriors. However, ESPN’s Bobby Marks dug deeper into the situation between the former Duke star and the Warriors on Friday.
“Now, Zion is interesting here just because he is injured right now [and] we don’t know when he is coming back,” Marks said. “For him to be on the court, that’s how you can get the most value for him, either in a trade or with the Pelicans. I’ve always circled Golden State, [who] would be certainly that team there for for Zion.”
“If you’re looking for that next superstar that maybe can have that upside — I think Williamson can be that guy if he’s healthy — and when you look at it, what would New Orleans or Golden State have to give up in a trade? Andrew Wiggings certainly is that big trade number, and then you look at a player like Brandin Podziemski, for example, and then we’re going to put Kevon Looney in there.”
Could Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson both be future trade candidates this season? 👀 @BobbyMarks42 fires up the TRADE MACHINE with two teams that make sense for the Pelicans stars ✍️ pic.twitter.com/E2dv4oq3uU
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 13, 2024
While Williamson is an ideal player for Golden State, his health is still a big issue.
For more sports content:
Follow me on X at @BarbecueBro, and follow us at @HardwoodHeroics and @GridironHeroics. You can also reach out to Reign Amurao via email at reignamuraonba@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!
Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
