On the latest episode of the Hoops Collective podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Tim MacMahon and Tim Bontemps briefly discussed the impressive play and potential trade value of Pelicans forward Zion Williamson.
Since January 7, when he returned from a hamstring strain that sidelined him for two months, the former No. 1 overall pick is averaging 24.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 59.5% from the field and 64.3% from the foul line in 22 appearances.
However, Williamson has also missed 10 games over that span and has only averaged 27.8 minutes per contest. Some of that is by design to try and keep him healthy (minutes restriction, no back-to-backs), but New Orleans also hasn’t been competitive for much of the season.
The Pelicans are just 18-50 overall and 9-19 when Williamson plays. The team has a minus-1.1 net rating when he’s on the court and is a ghastly minus-10.0 when he’s not.
“I remember Bobby [Marks] and I wrote a story just as he was about to come back and kind of like, ‘What’s coming with Zion?’” MacMahon said (hat tip to RealGM). “What the trade value and market might be for him.
“Somebody told us then the goal is to ramp him up and restore his value, whether that’s for the Pelicans or another team. And he’s handling the first part, to his credit, he is absolutely handling the first part.”
A rival GM recently expressed skepticism to Windhorst about Williamson’s possible trade value and whether or not the Pelicans would consider moving him, suggesting the team might wait until next season to see if he can continue to stay on the court.
“I still don’t know how much they can actually get for him based on his injury history,” Windhorst replied.
“There’s some teams that would have significant interest,” said MacMahon.
I bet Morey really wants him.
as a 76er fan I hope we say screw it and do a COMPLETE REBUILD! Everybody can go. if you wanna keep maxey and McCain that’s fine build around them. Trade embiid and George along with anyone else that has value. hopefully if we do a better job drafting/trades this time around.
Embiid and George have very limited value.
George has negative value.
How he hasn’t gotten fired…
Everyone is quick to say how is Morey not fired etc etc but I mean in fairness to him he came in when we had what Fultz Simmons and Embiid as our core I believe. Then ended up getting us Jimmy Butler. Then after he walked in free agency and we got nothing, he ended up getting us James Harden who we also then let go. Then he brought us Paul George.
He might not be the best with handing out money (extensions/contracts) but he always did well to bring in star after star after star for us to give us a chance at a championship. End of the day some of the fault has to also rest with the coaches and the players too.
I know it’s been a hugely disappointing era but I’m atleast glad we didn’t die wondering what could’ve been had we just done this or just done that. He always brought in really talented players to always give us a chance.
Granted he has made plenty of errors along the way
It will all come down to who will over pay to get him on their team. No reason for Pelicans to trade him since they do not know how good their team is if healthy.
We know. They are always going to be shorthanded like the Sixers
True, but with Zion’s injury history, will we ever find out how good the Pels could be?
If they could just stay healthy the team would be a top 6 team in the west with all that talent.
They are not a championship contender even if he is healthy, and they definitely know that.
I want Ja, Wemby, Chet, Cade, and Zion. And the kid from Duke going #1.
This is Zion’s SIXTH season. He’s had a major injury issue in EVERY SEASON.
No reasonable person should expect that Zion won’t have more significant injuries in the future.
He hasn’t done enough to be viewed as some missing piece. I don’t even know if Zion sells tickets anymore.
He was paid his max contract so maybe some expiring contracts and protected pick.
Injury history limiting his market? What did the Lakers get for AD again?
What did the Wizards get for Beal?
Boner-
Zion has a much worse injury history than AD or Beale
Zion has missed more than 1/2 the games he’s eligible for in his career. He’s never played a full season. Closest was last season, but he got injured for the playoffs.
If someone bytes at draft, I move him. Best case scenario is hope he plays well next year. Then move him quickly. Time to move on.
Right —- @Sankara
have you seen enough homer.
The Pelicans were the 1st seed in the west when Zion was healthy and the roster was also minimally healthy. I dont see why winning is a question here at all.
San Antonio has their own number 1 pick and Atlanta’s unprotected. Wemby, Fox, and Zion. Something to think about.