Zion Williamson Trade Rumors: $6 Billion Team to Push For Pelicans' Injury Prone Star After NOLA Signals Desire for 'Reasonable Offers'

NBA: Chicago Bulls at New Orleans Pelicans - Source: Imagn
Zion Williamson Trade Rumors: $6 Billion Team to Push For Pelicans' Injury Prone Star After NOLA Signals Desire for 'Reasonable Offers' (Image source: Imagn)

The Chicago Bulls are one team rumored to be pursuing a trade for New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson.

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ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel and Chris Dodson reported on Wednesday that league sources have indicated the Pelicans will be "prepared to accept the first decent, reasonable offer." The NBA insiders added that New Orleans knows Williamson's value has diminished and said that haggling with the team would be "minimal."

Siegel and Dodson noted that no team has "rushed" to make an offer for the two-time NBA All-Star. However, rumors emerged Thursday that the Bulls, which have a $6 billion valuation per Forbes, are "expected" to engage the Pelicans about Williamson.

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Siegel and Dodson added that the Pelicans' firing of coach Willie Green is the start of what could be a "full house-cleaning" in New Orleans. Coming into Thursday, the Pelicans had the league's worst record at 3-19.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday that Zion Williamson will miss an extended period due to a right adductor injury. His injury re-evaluation is scheduled in three weeks.

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The 25-year-old star has played only 10 games this season, averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists on 51% shooting.

NBA insider sheds light on Zion Williamson trade value

Since playing a career-high 70 games during the 2023-24 season, New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has appeared in only 40 games. Per ESPN, since being drafted No. 1 in 2019, Williamson has missed 55% of his possible games.

On Wednesday's "NBA Today," NBA insider Brian Windhorst said finding a suitable trade package for Williamson might prove difficult for New Orleans.

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"Zion has almost next to no value right now for the Pelicans," Windhorst said (Timestamp: 3:09). "Because of these injuries, they wouldn't be able to get value for him. They don't control their first-round pick this year because they've traded a swap to the (Atlanta) Hawks, so they're heavily incentivized to try and win the most games as possible."
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In addition to his injury history, interested teams have to navigate Zion Williamson's contract. Per Spotrac, he has three years left on his five-year, $197.2 million rookie-max contract. This season, he earns $39.5 million.

Williamson could still attract teams, as he has played well whenever he is healthy. New Orleans might be looking for some draft capital in exchange for its star forward.

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Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
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