Star forward Zion Williamson hasn’t done a whole lot to help his trade value this season. The injury bug continues to trouble him greatly. While the New Orleans Pelicans have only played eight games, he’s been sidelined for three of them. He’s set to miss some more time as well with a hamstring strain.
On top of the injury woes persisting, he’s still living up to his reputation as someone who puts up good numbers on bad teams. He’s the leading scorer and rebounder on a Pelicans team that is just 2-6 on the season and in a tie for the worst record in the West. Hence, it only makes sense that the intel on Williamson around the NBA right now is supposedly “not great.”
“The intel that exists on Williamson within the league, fairly or not, is not great,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst wrote. “There have been numerous coaches, support staff and teammates that have cycled through New Orleans over the past seven years, which includes all the injuries and a one-game suspension in January for being late to a team flight.
“Stated simply, even with his unusual non-guaranteed contract over the next two years that offers the franchise protection, Williamson’s trade value isn’t super high.
“‘To be honest, their move might be a win-now trade, not a Zion trade,’ a rival executive said. ‘His trade value isn’t there and they are facing some pressure to win.'”
Williamson’s talent is undeniable, as there aren’t a whole lot of players who play with so much force and can impact the game across the board like he does.
However, considering the same story seems to keep playing out in the sense that he often misses time with injuries and doesn’t lead the Pelicans to any real collective success, it’s clear why he’s not a hugely valuable commodity on the open market. Until he’s consistently on the floor for the Pelicans and helping them win a lot of games, it’s hard to believe that perception will change.
New Orleans has made the playoffs with Williamson but hasn’t won a playoff series since drafting him.
Concerns regarding the 25-year-old extend off the court as well. Earlier this year, he was accused of rape and abuse as part of a lawsuit filed by a Jane Doe. The unidentified woman in question was allegedly Williamson’s former girlfriend. They allegedly began dating all the way back when Williamson was still starring at the collegiate level at Duke University.
The tea leaves seem to hint that regardless of how the Williamson era has gone in New Orleans, he won’t get moved to another one of the league’s teams anytime soon unless the Pelicans are willing to take back a poor return.
