Zion Williamson Downplays NBA Trade Rumors, Wants to Win Title With Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson isn't sweating the trade rumors that have followed him around in recent years, in large part because he's content staying put.
"New Orleans is home for me," he said on Monday's NBA Today. "I know people hear rumors, hear different things, but New Orleans is home for me. In the offseason I stay in New Orleans and just move around the city, just getting to learn more about the culture. I've made a lot of friends there. New Orleans—I know I'm saying it a lot—is really home for me. I want to do what I can to help New Orleans win. If you can win a championship in New Orleans—if you look at the impact Drew Brees had with winning a Super Bowl—you're forever. And who doesn't want to be forever?"
Williamson is only 25, though his seven NBA seasons have included plenty of twists and turns. Consistent injuries and a fractured-at-times relationship with the organization have led to a more tumultuous tenure than was expected when Williamson was the top overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
When healthy, he's been fantastic, averaging 24.1 points per game for his career. He was particularly dynamic as a young player, as his explosive athleticism made him a must-watch player when he was on the court.
But that's been the rub—staying on the court. He's never played more than 70 games in a season, has only played more than 60 games twice and missed the entire 2021-22 campaign. He's been relatively healthy this season, at least by his own standards, appearing in 45 games and averaging 21.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, but it hasn't helped the Pelicans avoid a 19-43 season and another trip to the NBA lottery (this time without control of their own selection).
The Pelicans haven't done Williamson a ton of favors, building and tearing down the roster several times around him. But team-building is far more complicated when it's centered around a franchise player who struggles to stay healthy. And thus, in recent years, trade chatter has surrounded Williamson.
But his market is murky, given the risk that comes with acquiring an injury-prone player. His current deal extends through the 2027-28 season, though it isn't guaranteed for each of the next two seasons (though he likely will hit the benchmarks needed to guarantee much of his 2026-27 salary).
The Pelicans are currently straddling an odd roster balance of younger players and veteran cornerstones in Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Dejounte Murray. At some point, they will probably have to pick a lane. Williamson seems to be hoping it will include him when they do.
