6. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, there were whispers that the New Orleans Pelicans could trade Zion Williamson. In the end, it appears that cooler heads prevailed and that the Pelicans decided to keep Zion on the roster. However, I’m pretty confident in saying that we haven’t heard the last of this storyline. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the next time we hear about Zion trade whispers, it’s because it comes from him or his camp.
If the Pelicans get off to a slow start to the season and don’t make the playoffs at all this year, there are going to be some big questions that the team is going to have to answer about their future. And many of them will revolve around Zion. He hasn’t had the greatest of starts to his career in the NBA, largely due to nagging injuries. Maybe a change of scenery is something he ends up seeking after this season.
I don’t believe Zion would demand a trade in the next calendar year. But it’s absolutely something that could develop at some point before his current contract with the Pelicans ends.