20 June 2023 , 22:24
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Damian Lillard has dropped a hint on social media he could be about to lobby for the Portland Trail Blazers to trade for New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson, with the 2019 first-overall NBA Draft pick reportedly on the market.
Williamson, 22, has struggled with injuries since his arrival in the NBA, missing 188 games for the Pelicans out of a possible 302, and last season he featured just 29 times as New Orleans failed to make the Playoffs. And with the Pelicans set to pick at No14 in Thursday's NBA Draft, it is reported that Williamson could be used to trade up the order so New Orleans can get their hands on some of 2023's top talents.
Whether Williamson's off-court issues play a part in his adventure at the Pelicans coming to an end is unknown. The power forward has been caught up in an online spat with porn star Moriah Mills, who took to Twitter threatening to release a sex tape of the pair unless he is traded.
But Williamson could find a new home in Portland if Lillard has his way. Lillard liked a tweet on Twitter from a fan pleading with him to lure Williamson to the Blazers ahead of the new season. Interestingly, the Blazers are picking at No3 in Thursday's NBA Draft, with Scoot Henderson, Jarace Walker, and Brandon Miller all set to follow projected No1 pick Victor Wembanyama.
Charlotte's No2 pick is also available, according to speculation, as is Indiana's turn at No7. “Zion (Williamson) seems to be available, to be kind,” said Bill Simmons, on The Bill Simmons Podcast. “Charlotte’s number two pick seems to be available, and so is Indiana’s number seven pick.
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“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’.”
Zion Williamson could be traded ahead of Thursday (Getty)Williamson appears to be keen not to be dragged into the public drama with Mills and is yet to comment on the saga which overshadowed the pregnancy announcement with his girlfriend.
Meanwhile, the Draft is set to get underway at 8 pm ET with the top prospects expected to be in attendance at the Barclays Center in New York to discover their fates.