Things could not be going worse for the New Orleans Pelicans, and they may be ready to blow it up — including moving on from the infinitely tantalizing but oft-injured Zion Williamson.
Sitting in last place in the NBA’s Western Conference with a horrific 5-22 record, the Pelicans are open to trading anybody except three players, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer report on Subtack, with All-Stars Williamson and Brandon Ingram among those who are available.
“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 [5-22] start and more injury woe than even Philadelphia,” the report says.
The Pelicans have built their roster around Williamson and Ingram, two players who have hardly played as running mates.
The pair has played in just 159 games together of a possible 499 thanks to varying injuries.
Williamson, 24, has played in just six games this season due to a hamstring injury.
New Orleans had some success last year on the backs of their star forwards as the Pelicans went 49-33, their best record since 2008.
Williamson was once thought of as a generational prospect coming out of Duke, drawing comparisons to LeBron James and other stars after being drafted No. 1 overall.
The failed promise of Williamson has resulted in just 184 career games played of the possible 472.
Williamson is on the second year of his fully guaranteed five-year, $197 million contract and profiles as an extremely difficult-to-move player given his salary.
The Knicks were once reportedly interested in grabbing Williamson after missing out on him in the NBA draft, getting the third pick instead of one of the top two picks, which would end up being Williamson and Grizzlies star Ja Morant. The Knicks ended up with RJ Barrett at No. 3, and they traded him last season to the Raptors in the OG Anunoby deal.
Now that the Knicks have decided to get into the Karl Anthony-Towns business, the Knicks are highly unlikely to be involved here, although star-hungry teams still infatuated with his potential, perhaps such as the Lakers and Clippers could be interested.
New Orleans supposedly floated Williamson in trades ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, where they were looking to obtain Scoot Henderson from the Trail Blazers, but that never came to fruition.
Ingram, 27, is in the last year of his contract, making him an attractive trade candidate for a team all-in this year, although he will likely command a big-time extension this offseason.
Williamson and Ingram have played in just six games together this season; they are 2-4.
