Would the Detroit Pistons try to trade for Zion Williamson?

Why the Pelicans aren’t trading Zion Williamson

As I outlined before, trading away a superstar talent is not easy, especially since Zion Williamson hasn’t even played a full season with the Pels yet.

When he’s in there, he’s unstoppable, but the Pelicans do have to have some concerns about his injured foot and whether a player his size who relies so much on explosive athleticism is going to continue to have these problems throughout his career.

But Kevin Durant missed almost a whole season with the same injury and has since won two titles and an MVP. Joel Embiid missed most of his first three seasons with injuries and is now an MVP frontrunner.

Players can overcome injuries and as Zion gets older and learns how to better take care of himself, he could end up being a player in the KD/Embiid tier.

You can’t trade that away for two guys who project as role players and a draft pick.

Why the Pelicans would totally trade Zion Williamson

Killian Hayes and Saddiq Bey may be “role” players but Bey is already a very good one and has the potential to be a fringe All-Star.

These two also fill distinct needs for the Pelicans, who are without a real point guard and could use Bey’s shooting and toughness.

They’d also have a chance to add someone like Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren or Jabari Smith with the pick, which would give them a young, deep and talented squad with enough veterans to contend right away.

Also, keep in mind that the Pelicans are getting the Lakers’ top-10 pick and get to keep their own if it falls into the top-4, so this would give them a chance to have three top-10 picks in this draft, which sets them up with young talent or to make a big trade to replace more of Zion’s production.

I don’t think the Pelicans would be interested in the end, but I think they’d pause for just a second before hanging up the phone.