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Zion Williamson Trade Buzz Before Pistons-Pelicans Matchup

What's the recent trade buzz on Zion Williamson?
Justin Grasso|
Mar 24, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) looks on in the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Mar 24, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) looks on in the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsNew Orleans Pelicans

Monday night’s matchup between the Detroit Pistons and the New Orleans Pelicans will be an opportunity for the road team to gain its confidence back after a tough two-game skid. The Pistons will also have a chance to push the Pelicans further into their rebuild as the future of Zion Williamson in New Orleans continues to come into question.

Heading into the matchup, the Pelicans hold an 18-50 record. As injuries piled up throughout the year, the Pelicans didn’t have much of a chance to put themselves in postseason contention. As a result, Zion Williamson trade rumors are once again becoming relevant.

ESPN’s Tim McMahon recently suggested that there are teams that have "significant interest" in a potential Williamson trade sweepstakes. With New Orleans struggling to build a contender around the star forward, who also has injury concerns, the Zion trade smoke won’t clear.

According to Brian Windhorst of ‘The Hoop Collective,’ an anonymous NBA GM suggested that the Pelicans will “probably see” if Williamson can carry his current level of play into next season while remaining healthy and available, boosting his trade value.

The two-time All-Star has appeared in just 28 games this season. Williamson is averaging 24 points, seven rebounds, and five assists while shooting 56 percent from the field. Once again, injuries have hampered Williamson throughout the year.

At 24 years old, Williamson’s skillset has never come into question. When playing, he’s dominant, and it’s been that way since his 24-game campaign during his rookie season. The Pelicans have continued to commit to Williamson up until this point, but the bubble might have burst soon enough.

On pace to potentially finish second-to-last in the Western Conference, the Pelicans will be a name to keep an eye on in the trade market over the summer as the firesale could continue and include a big name.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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