The Pelicans have been linked in NBA rumors with numerous trade-up scenarios for the No. 2 or No. 3 pick. Apparently, they haven't offered Zion for either.
According to William Guillory of The Athletic, the Pelicans are not offering Zion Williamson for the second or third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. This despite all of the trade rumors that are going around the league, that have tabbed them as being extremely interested in Scoot Henderson and willing to make a move.
Williamson has not been able to stay healthy during his career with the team. He has only played 60 games or more only once in this career. He has been engulfed on off-court personal drama that has spilled onto social media and there are still persistent rumors about friction between him and the Pelicans organization.
The Pelicans are really interested in Scoot Henderson. It has even been floated by league insiders that the team might even give up Brandon Ingram for the second overall pick.
Will the Pelicans trade Zion Williamson anytime soon?
With all of the rumors by credible sources, it seems like at some point Zion Williamson might be traded. It really doesn't seem like the team will end up keeping Williamson who doesn't keep in contact with the team during the offseason. Williamson can't really stay healthy which is something that the Pelicans would really value going forward and undermines the construction of this team around him.
Even if they don't trade him on draft night, they will have plenty of suitors and teams like the New York Knicks have reportedly been interested in him for multiple seasons. These latest rumors might be less about wanting to keep Zion and more about their belief that they can get a better package than one built around just the No. 3 pick.
Check out The Step Back for more news, analysis, opinion and unique basketball coverage. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our daily email newsletter, The Whiteboard.
