An Offseason Trade Idea Sending Zion to the Blazers

One of the bright spots for the New Orleans Pelicans amidst a terrible season is Zion Williamson's play. He is finally healthy after a hamstring injury kept him sidelined for months.

The Pelicans are in a similar position as the Los Angeles Clippers, dependent on their star player's spotty availability. The 24-year-old Williamson is much younger than the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (33), but it's still difficult for the Pelicans to bank on their two-time All-Star to play when needed most.

The franchise isn't looking to dump him but has opportunistically looked at the trade market. With a high pick coming in June's draft and Dejounte Murray on the long road back from an Achilles injury, this offseason may be the time for the Pelicans to shift gears and get value for Williamson.

Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers have shown enough promise that they may be willing to add their next piece to push for a playoff berth. The risk with Williamson is clear, but so is the upside.

The following is a two-team trade idea sending Williamson to the blossoming Trail Blazers.

Full Trade Scenario

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The Portland Trail Blazers receive: Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins

The New Orleans Pelicans receive: Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, Duop Reath, a 2025 first-rounder, an $11.8 million trade exception (Williamson) and an $4.7 million trade exception (Hawkins)

Notes: Both teams would have hard caps at the first apron (projected at $195.9 million) but should be able to head into the 2025-26 season under the luxury-tax threshold ($187.9 million).

Why the Portland Trail Blazers Do It

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The Trail Blazers started the year slowly, but they have since evolved into one of the more formidable opponents in the West. Deandre Ayton's injury hurt their play-in hopes, but with the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns struggling, Portland isn't done trying. The team refuses to tank, and head coach Chauncey Billups may have bought himself more time with the franchise.

Adding a talent like Williamson, even with the injury risk, may be too hard for the Blazers to pass up. It's because of said risk that they would even have a shot at one of the most dominant scoring forwards in the league.

Regarding what they're giving up, Simons is heading into the final year of his contract at $27.7 million. With Scoot Henderson growing into his role and the dual emergence of Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara as core players for the Blazers, Simons may be expendable.

The decision may be tougher for Shaedon Sharpe, but the third-year guard hasn't had as strong of a year as the franchise had hoped, and he's extension-eligible this summer. Portland likely wouldn't be eager to give up the pair unless it's for a player of Williamson's caliber.

To convince the Pelicans to sign off, the Blazers might need to give up a first-round pick (assuming it's roughly No. 11 in June) while rounding out the package with a backup point guard in Alvarado and a wing prospect who hasn't quite clicked yet in Hawkins. Reath rounds out the deal, giving Portland 13 players and room under the luxury tax to add a few veterans.

The Blazers can still move off other vets in the right deal (Jerami Grant, Robert Williams III, Ayton, etc.) or keep their depth with the playoffs in mind.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans Do It

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The Pelicans need to think long and hard on the following question this offseason: Was this team a disaster because of injuries, or does it have limited upside as currently constructed?

They already made a decision on Brandon Ingram, whom they sent to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline instead of re-signing this summer. The Pelicans chose Trey Murphy III and Murray, but the latter may need significant time to return to form in the wake of his Achilles tear.

Williamson's uncertain availability for a team that isn't a playoff lock in the West suggests it's time for a change. CJ McCollum has one year left on his contract at $30.7 million, and Simons is a younger version of him. Sharpe, one of the most explosive young wings in the league, could thrive in New Orleans.

With Williamson off the roster, the Pelicans can invest more time into their two first-round picks (roughly No. 4 and No. 11, although the Blazers aren't likely to trade their selection if they jump from their projected slot), current rookie center Yves Missi, Herbert Jones, Simons, Sharpe and Murphy.

New Orleans would head into the 2025-26 season with roughly $10 million in flexibility under the luxury tax via the mid-level exception or trade exception generated from Williamson. Kelly Olynyk ($13.4 million) and McCollum are on expiring contracts and potentially available for additional moves.

The Pelicans would have a younger roster with lower initial expectations, but it's not like they're near those goals this season. This would be a bold move, but perhaps a necessary sacrifice since Williamson isn't reliable enough in New Orleans. The additions of Simons, Sharpe, and the extra first-rounder would provide a talent injection and scoring punch, allowing the Pels to build around their upcoming lottery pick properly.

Fans will expect at least another first-rounder in the deal, which is something the Pelicans should fight for, but Williamson's shaky availability has hurt his trade value. The Pelicans can just wait, but is there a better time that they can bank on?

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