Pelicans’ Trade Candidate Doesn’t Have ‘Great Value’

Like the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, the New Orleans Pelicans season hasn’t gone nearly as expected. When Dejounte Murray fractured his hand late in the season opener, perhaps that was an omen. It just happened that nobody really read the tea leaves. Not until Zion Williamson, whom they considered trading last season, was ruled out with his own injury.

Now 18-49, the Pelicans aren’t competing for anything but their place in the NBA Draft Lottery. With the second-best odds to land the No. 1 pick, Duke freshman Cooper Flagg could be headed down to the bayou. If so, Williamson’s days as the face of the franchise could be numbered.

According to one anonymous general manager, Williamson’s future is in question anyway. The problem is that he doesn’t have “great value” on the trade market.

“The question about the Pelicans is whether they would consider trading Zion,” a rival general manager tells ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “It hasn’t really been an option over the last couple of years because he’s been injured, and his value hasn’t been high enough. Even now, I don’t think they could get great value. So they will probably see if he can carry this play over into next year.”

Pelicans’ Zion Williamson Doesn’t Have ‘Great [Trade] Value’

Williamson is in the midst of the fourth season in which he’ll finish with fewer than 50 games played. For a player who’s only in his sixth season, that’s not an ideal ratio to say the least. His lack of durability is also among the reasons why he’s yet to lead the Pelicans to the postseason.

If he can stay healthy, his value will increase. There will be questions about his discipline for a while. Nonetheless, if he maintains a high level of conditioning, his value will increase. That being said, if Williamson’s health and conditioning weren’t concerns, New Orleans probably wouldn’t trade him unless he asked out.

Why would they, given the way they could build around him on offense?

Potential Destinations

There are expected to be several suitors for Williamson in the offseason, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.