This year hasn’t been great for Zion Williamson.
The New Orleans Pelicans would-be superstar hasn’t played since Jan. 2 because of a hamstring injury that keeps most players out a few weeks. It’s been rumored that his teammates and front office people don’t rock with him at all. His weight has been a concern since he got to the League. Assistant coach Theresa Weatherspoon, the Zion Whisperer if you will, was let go earlier this month.
I don’t even wanna get into Zion’s off-the-court issues. I’m not the morality police, after all. That young man does need some people in his corner he can lean on for guidance.
All of those variables have made Zion being traded a topic of conversation over the last week or so. It hasn’t been a great start to Zion’s pro career after probably the most fun one-and-done season we’ve seen. He’s played in just 114 games over the first four years of his career. But that doesn’t mean New Orleans should or will trade him this off-season.
A supposedly out of shape Zion for his career puts up 26 points per game in better than 60 percent shooting. Before his injury this past season, New Orleans sat atop the West standings.
He’s 22 years old. Zion has the potential to be the best player in the world. Just look at this. Look at it!
New Orleans only a year ago signed Zion to an extension that doesn’t kick in until next season. That’s not the mix of a player you move off of.
The Pelicans have a solid core, with Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones to go along with Zion. Coach Willie Green has shown he can lead a team to the playoffs. A market the size of New Orleans needs a homegrown star to keep fans interested. All of the players New Orleans could potentially bring in for Zion aren’t available.
Where does trading Zion to Charlotte for the No. 2 pick in Thursday’s draft and Gordon Hayward put New Orleans? What would Portland have to combine with the No. 3 pick to make a deal attractive to New Orleans?
Zion should stay put. And New Orleans should sit tight. The potential for greatness, for the individual and the team, is too high for the Pelicans to sell now.
