New Orleans Pelicans

Stan Van Gundy says New Orleans could be ‘open’ to dealing Zion Williamson

Published by
Peter Dewey

Former New Orleans Pelicans head coach and current NBA analyst Stan Van Gundy believes that the Pelicans could be open to dealing superstar Zion Williamson.

Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, has not played in the 2021-22 season due to a foot injury.

“They made a lot of moves (since I left),” Van Gundy told the New York Post’s Marc Berman. “Would they deal Zion based on the success they’re having without him? Yeah, they’d be open to that but they’re not giving him away.

 

“Can Zion go there (to the [New York] Knicks)? Yeah, definitely could. But what are you giving them back? You’re going to give them a lot. You’re not giving them (Knicks center) Mitchell Robinson and a first-round round pick for Zion. Of course you like that trade. It’s never going to happen.”

While the Pelicans have been successful this season, they may think that Williamson can take them to the next level once he is healthy.

New Orleans was able to win two games in the league’s play-in tournament to capture the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference this season. The Pelicans are currently facing the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs.

Brandon Ingram, C.J. McCollum and company have shown that they deserve to be in the playoffs, but the team is missing another piece, such as Williamson, to truly be an NBA Finals contender.

Last season, Williamson was an All-Star and averaged 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 61.1 percent from the field. He is an elite athlete and scorer when healthy, but the foot injury has certainly led to some questions about his future.

The Pelicans would likely need to be blown away with an offer to move a star like Williamson, but Van Gundy clearly thinks it is possible after the team’s performance this season.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball, football and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

6 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago