Zion Williamson’s Top Landing Spots After CJ McCollum Reportedly Traded to Wizards
The New Orleans Pelicans have already made one major move before the 2025 NBA draft, reportedly sending CJ McCollum to the Washington Wizards. The question now is if they will make an even bigger move by dealing away Zion Williamson.
New Orleans acquired Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick in the draft for McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick, per Shams Charania of ESPN. The Pelicans get younger with the deal, but it could be the first domino in a restart for the organization.
The 2024-25 NBA season saw more of the same from Williamson—more moments of basketball brilliance and, unfortunately, more injury issues.
He made just 30 appearances, which sadly ranks as the third-most for the top pick of the 2019 draft. When he did hit the hardwood, though, he was mostly awesome. His 24.6 points would have ranked 11th overall had he played enough games to qualify, his 5.3 assists set a new career high, and his 7.2 rebounds matched his previous personal best.
His ongoing availability issues could still steer the Pelicans toward trading him away, but his obvious—and immense—talent could still interest the right suitor.
Memphis Grizzlies
The grit-and-grinders suddenly find themselves in need of a third (or second) scorer in the wake of the Desmond Bane trade. While there would be plenty of risks in pairing Williamson with the player drafted right behind him, Ja Morant, the reward could be incredible.
In Williamson and Morant, Memphis would have two of the NBA's most intimidating and explosive downhill attackers. The Grizzlies also happen to have perhaps the perfect frontcourt partner for Williamson in Jaren Jackson Jr., whose spacing, shot-blocking and defensive versatility would all cover up the biggest weaknesses in Williamson's game.
It's tough to tell where Memphis hopes to move after the Bane deal, but if the Grizzlies are eyeing a level-up and not a step back, Williamson could help make that jump—if he could ever stay healthy, of course.
Chicago Bulls
If the Bulls ever want to step off the treadmill of mediocrity, it might take a bold move to make that happen. Doing a fingers-crossed deal for Williamson would certainly qualify as such.
Chicago's offense needs a go-to scorer. Even those bullish (pun not intended) about Coby White and Matas Buzelis would have a hard time confidently slotting either into that role. Adding Williamson would not only fill that void, but it would also have the trickle-down benefit of slotting the Bulls' other players into their more natural places on the offensive pecking order.
The Bulls have made it painfully obvious they want to avoid the backtracking-type of a full rebuild, so if they want to get more competitive, they need to add a needle-mover. A healthy Williamson is exactly that.
Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham's All-Star ascension opened up the possibility for Detroit to dream big this offseason. The Pistons' playoff return, meanwhile, highlighted their need for a legitimate co-star alongside him.
Why not Williamson? Assuming his injury problems are factored into his trade price, Detroit wouldn't find a better player available at this rate. Between his talent and potential fit as a pick-and-roll partner for Cunningham, there's enough here for the Pistons to at least consider adding an elite player and worrying about their spacing concerns later.
