20 June 2023 , 14:03
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Zion Williamson could be traded by the New Orleans Pelicans before the NBA Draft if the latest reports are to be believed.
The 22-year-old is regarded by many as one of the brightest young talents across the NBA. Williamson was drafted with the number one overall pick in 2019 by the Pelicans, but has struggled with injuries since his arrival.
In his four seasons in the NBA, Williamson has missed 188 out of a possible 302 games for the Pelicans. A variety of injuries have resulted in the forward being on the sidelines for large portions of his NBA career, including the entirety of the 2021/22 season.
The 2022/23 season saw Williamson play just 29 of the 83 total games for the Pelicans as they failed to reach the playoffs after finishing ninth in the Western Conference but lost the play-in to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pelicans have the 14th pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday, and there has been speculation around Williamson potentially being traded beforehand. Such rumours have suggested that the Pelicans could trade Williamson in exchange for a high pick in the draft order.
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The San Antonio Spurs have the number one overall pick, and are expected to select Victor Wembanyama. The Charlotte Hornets have the number two pick, while the Portland Trail Blazers are at number three, with Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller the two prospects expected to be selected behind Wembanyama.
Bill Simmons, CEO and founder of The Ringer podcast, has provided an update on Williamson’s future in Louisiana. Simmons has claimed that he has heard Williamson is “available” for a trade and will not be part of the team by the time the NBA Draft begins in Brooklyn on Thursday night.
Zion Williamson has struggled with injuries in his four years with the New Orleans Pelicans (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)“Zion (Williamson) seems to be available, to be kind,” said Simmons, on The Bill Simmons Podcast. “Charlotte’s number two pick seems to be available, Indiana’s number seven pick is reportedly available.
“Dallas’ number 10 pick is available, Orlando has number six and 11. There’s a lot of flux from four to 10 where people like different guys and like the ceiling of different guys.
“We say this every year that ‘we could expect a lot of deals this week’, but I actually think this could be one of those weeks where we do get a bunch of deals.”
Simmons added: “The Zion (Williamson) thing is a real subplot. I had somebody that I trust tell me yesterday that he will not be on that team on Thursday. I was like ‘really? I haven’t heard that’. [And they said]: ‘No, you watch’.”