After yet another underwhelming season, the New Orleans Pelicans are making changes, from top to bottom.
As reported by ESPN senior insider Shams Charania, the team has fired former executive vice president David Griffin, intending to replace him with Joe Dumars. A highly accomplished former NBA player and front office executive, Dumars is currently finalizing a deal to become the Pelicans’ president of basketball operations. In the N.O.’s Shamit Dua reports that Dumars’ first directive will be to trade 2019 No. 1 pick Zion Williamson. Dua adds that Dumars has also been mandated to keep head coach Willie Green.
Since it looks like all the rumors are coming true – the final bit of intel have on this whole situation is that ownership will mandate Dumars to keep Willie Green and trade Zion. This is what I have heard.
It’s possible the Phoenix situation impacts Willie Green, but this is the plan I am hearing.
— Shamit Dua (@fearthebrown.bsky.social) April 14, 2025 at 1:56 PM
If Williamson really does become available, it’s possible that the Pelicans will hone in on backcourt players as trade targets. For starters, Dejounte Murray suffered an Achilles tear that could cause him to miss a chunk of next season. Furthermore, CJ McCollum‘s shot-selection and defense have often been criticized.
Best Trade Destinations For Pelicans’ Zion Williamson
Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant package
Though he’s likely been more of a disruptive presence than the team would like, there are no indications that the Memphis Grizzlies are looking to move Ja Morant. In fact, they fired the winningest head coach in franchise history to make him more comfortable. Nevertheless, if they are, sending NBA YoungBoy to New Orleans would certainly allow the Pelicans to replace Murray.
Of course, adding Williamson likely throws a wrench in the Grizzlies’ plan to start Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey together. With that being said, swapping Morant and Edey for Williamson, 2024 No. 21 pick Yves Missi, and 2023 No. 14 pick Jordan Hawkins makes sense from a basketball perspective. Jackson’s perimeter-oriented game and Williamson’s interior dominance compliment each other quite well in fact. Edey is obviously a force in the paint as well, but Williamson has averaged 24.7 points per game in his short career.
Houston Rockets
Fred VanVleet package
Make no mistake, a trade package headlined by Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet and forward-center Jabari Smith Jr. isn’t the sexiest. However, it could be one of the most functional. As previously mentioned, Murray’s injury could lead to him missing time next season. With that in mind, VanVleet is in the final year of his contract. Thus, he’s a ready-made band-aid for the ailing Pelicans. Furthermore, VanVleet’s best skills (playmaking, perimeter defense, and 3-point shooting) are the ones that New Orleans needs.
The concept of replacing Williamson with Smith actually takes a similar hue, as Smith is the superior defender and 3-point threat. Even more appealing is that Smith, the 2022 No. 3 pick, is still just 21 years old and may have only scratched the surface of his potential. Nonetheless, the Rockets will have to dip into their deep stash of draft picks to make this a more enticing option.
Washington Wizards
Jordan Poole package
The Washington Wizards are currently led by Jordan Poole, but the young(er) players that they’ve added in recent years suggest that this may be temporary. Bub Carrington, the 14th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is being painted as their point guard of the future. 2023 No. 7 pick Bilal Coulibaly is a multifaceted wing that’s already proven himself to be a stud defender. 2021 No. 15 pick Corey Kispert, 2024 No. 24 pick Kyshawn George, and Justin Champagnie are all starting-caliber stretch forwards.
If they were to add Williamson to this mix, they would have a truly elite scorer. One that might mesh quite well with 2024 No. 2 pick Alex Sarr given their upside as playmakers and floor-spacers. The question is whether they would be able to keep their top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Adding Duke forward Cooper Flagg could give them the most dynamic frontcourt in the league.
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