NBA Rumors: Zion Williamson Trade Won't Be Pushed by Agent Before 2025 Deadline

Zion Williamson's agent "has no intention" to pressure the New Orleans Pelicans for a trade ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline, sources told ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks.

Williamson has been sidelined since Nov. 6 with a left hamstring strain.

The Pelicans star parted ways with his former representation at CAA after the injury, per The Athletic's Joe Vardon and Sam Amick.

He has since signed with WME's Bill Duffy, as reported by Marc Stein and confirmed by MacMahon and Marks.

The Pelicans announced on Dec. 24 that Williams is considered week-to-week with his hamstring injury. He had returned to practice in limited capacity as of Dec. 29.

Amid his absence and other injuries to the rotation, the Pels have tumbled to an NBA-worst 5-28 record.

As they head into the New Year on a 10-game losing streak, the Pelicans are not expected to focus on finding a trade partner for Williamson ahead of the deadline, according to MacMahon and Marks.

Instead, the front office's "priority" will be finding a trade partner for Brandon Ingram's expiring contract, per MacMahon and Marks.

The Pelicans held extension talks with Ingram this offseason but were unable to find a compromise between the team's desire to stay below the luxury tax and the player's goal of $50 million per season, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

With the playoffs slipping out of reach for the Pelicans, trading Ingram before he can walk this offseason is New Orleans' best shot of betting pieces to rebuild next season.

Williamson, on the other hand, is signed for three more seasons after this one, although he needs to trigger certain contractual markers in order to get the money guaranteed.

The guarantees can be triggered by weigh-ins and games-played minimum. These would potentially allow a team to waive Williamson after this season without taking a financial penalty, as previously reported by The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov.

Those clauses could increase Williamson's trade value despite his injury history. NBA executives have named the Golden State Warriors or Chicago Bulls as potential fits for his contract, per MacMahon and Marks.

But a trade would likely involve selling low on Williamson, who doesn't turn 25 until next July and when healthy he has proven he can still be an effective contributor. It sounds like the Pelicans aren't yet ready to move on from their young star as he continues to work his way back from his latest injury.