{"id":134536,"date":"2025-04-15T13:49:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T17:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=134536"},"modified":"2025-04-15T13:49:08","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T17:49:08","slug":"best-trade-destinations-pelicans-zion-williamson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/15\/best-trade-destinations-pelicans-zion-williamson\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Trade Destinations For Pelicans Face Of Franchise"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After yet another underwhelming season, the New Orleans Pelicans are making changes, from top to bottom.<\/p>\n<p>As reported by <em>ESPN<\/em> senior insider Shams Charania, the team has fired former executive vice president David Griffin, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/44670930\/pelicans-fire-executive-vp-david-griffin-6-seasons\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">intending to replace him<\/a> with Joe Dumars. A highly accomplished former NBA player and front office executive, Dumars is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/44683498\/sources-joe-dumars-finalizing-deal-pelicans-president\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">currently finalizing a deal<\/a> to become the Pelicans&#8217; president of basketball operations. <em>In the N.O<\/em>.&#8217;s Shamit Dua reports that Dumars&#8217; first directive will be to trade 2019 No. 1 pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willizi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zion Williamson<\/a>. Dua adds that Dumars has also been mandated to keep head coach Willie Green.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"bluesky-embed\" data-bluesky-uri=\"at:\/\/did:plc:kr7udf3q4nx4hupvhqhxcxus\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3lms55efj522d\" data-bluesky-cid=\"bafyreid5tozyfde4osmei4h2uy6rxxkniy4zrq5ri5hukffw4c7mklg5pa\" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode=\"system\">\n<p lang=\"en\">Since it looks like all the rumors are coming true &#8211; the final bit of intel have on this whole situation is that ownership will mandate Dumars to keep Willie Green and trade Zion. This is what I have heard.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s possible the Phoenix situation impacts Willie Green, but this is the plan I am hearing.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Shamit Dua (<a  href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/did:plc:kr7udf3q4nx4hupvhqhxcxus?ref_src=embed\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@fearthebrown.bsky.social<\/a>) <a  href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/did:plc:kr7udf3q4nx4hupvhqhxcxus\/post\/3lms55efj522d?ref_src=embed\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 14, 2025 at 1:56 PM<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/embed.bsky.app\/static\/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>If Williamson really does become available, it&#8217;s possible that the Pelicans will hone in on backcourt players as trade targets. For starters, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/murrade01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dejounte Murray<\/a> suffered <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/02\/11\/new-orleans-pelicans-herbert-jones-injury-miss-remainder-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">an Achilles tear<\/a> that could cause him to miss a chunk of next season. Furthermore, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mccolcj01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CJ McCollum<\/a>&#8216;s shot-selection and defense have often been criticized.<\/p>\n<h2>Best Trade Destinations For Pelicans&#8217; Zion Williamson<\/h2>\n<h3>Memphis Grizzlies<\/h3>\n<h4>Ja Morant package<\/h4>\n<p>Though he&#8217;s likely been more of a disruptive presence than the team would like, there are no indications that the Memphis Grizzlies are looking to move <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/moranja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ja Morant<\/a>. In fact, they fired the winningest head coach in franchise history <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/03\/29\/ja-morant-grizzlies-offensive-problems\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">to make him more comfortable<\/a>. Nevertheless, if they are, sending NBA YoungBoy to New Orleans would certainly allow the Pelicans to replace Murray.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, adding Williamson likely throws a wrench in the Grizzlies&#8217; plan to start <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jacksja02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaren Jackson Jr.<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/edeyza01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Edey<\/a> together. With that being said, swapping Morant and Edey for Williamson, 2024 No. 21 pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/missiyv01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yves Missi<\/a>, and 2023 No. 14 pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hawkijo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Hawkins<\/a> makes sense from a basketball perspective. Jackson&#8217;s perimeter-oriented game and Williamson&#8217;s interior dominance compliment each other quite well in fact. Edey is obviously a force in the paint as well, but Williamson has averaged 24.7 points per game in his short career.<\/p>\n<h3>Houston Rockets<\/h3>\n<h4>Fred VanVleet package<\/h4>\n<p>Make no mistake, a trade package headlined by Houston Rockets point guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/v\/vanvlfr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fred VanVleet<\/a> and forward-center <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/smithja05.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jabari Smith Jr.<\/a> isn&#8217;t the sexiest. However, it could be one of the most functional. As previously mentioned, Murray&#8217;s injury could lead to him missing time next season. With that in mind, VanVleet is in the final year of his contract. Thus, he&#8217;s a ready-made band-aid for the ailing Pelicans. Furthermore, VanVleet&#8217;s best skills (playmaking, perimeter defense, and 3-point shooting) are the ones that New Orleans needs.<\/p>\n<p>The concept of replacing Williamson with Smith actually takes a similar hue, as Smith is the superior defender and 3-point threat. Even more appealing is that Smith, the 2022 No. 3 pick, is still just 21 years old and may have only scratched the surface of his potential. Nonetheless, the Rockets will have to dip into their deep stash of draft picks to make this a more enticing option.<\/p>\n<h3>Washington Wizards<\/h3>\n<h4>Jordan Poole package<\/h4>\n<p>The Washington Wizards are currently led by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/poolejo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Poole<\/a>, but the young(er) players that <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/14\/wizards-draft-pick-tristan-vukcevic-finishes-strong-future-starter\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">they&#8217;ve added in recent years<\/a> suggest that this may be temporary. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carrica01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bub Carrington<\/a>, the 14th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is being painted as their point guard of the future. 2023 No. 7 pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/coulibi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bilal Coulibaly<\/a> is a multifaceted wing that&#8217;s already proven himself to be a stud defender. 2021 No. 15 pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kispeco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Corey Kispert<\/a>, 2024 No. 24 pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/georgky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyshawn George<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/champju01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Justin Champagnie<\/a> are all starting-caliber stretch forwards.<\/p>\n<p>If they were to add Williamson to this mix, they would have a truly elite scorer. One that might mesh quite well with 2024 No. 2 pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sarral01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Sarr<\/a> given their upside as playmakers and floor-spacers. The question is whether they would be able to keep their top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Adding Duke forward Cooper Flagg could give them the most dynamic frontcourt in the league.<\/p>\n<div class=\"modal-image-setImageMetadata\">\n<p class=\"ng-binding\">\u00a9 Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After yet another underwhelming season, the New Orleans Pelicans are making changes, from top to bottom. As reported by ESPN senior insider Shams Charania, the team has fired former executive vice president David Griffin, intending to replace him with Joe Dumars. A highly accomplished former NBA player and front office executive, Dumars is currently finalizing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":134593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33,1608,31,32,62,4721,18],"tags":[1262,1244,1822,2242,1909,98,4774,1684],"class_list":["post-134536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pelicans","category-basketball","category-rockets","category-grizzlies","category-nba","category-trade-rumors","category-wizards","tag-dejounte-murray","tag-fred-vanvleet","tag-ja-morant","tag-joe-dumars","tag-jordan-poole","tag-nba-draft","tag-rumors","tag-zion-williamson"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134536"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":134596,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134536\/revisions\/134596"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/134593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=134536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=134536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}