Despite the All-Star festivities, including Stephen Curry’s 50-point game and LeBron James’ game-winner, the talk of the town has been a player who hasn’t even stepped foot on a court this season – Zion Williamson.
During an interview with the NBA on TNT crew, CJ McCollum revealed that he has not spoken with Williamson since joining the New Orleans Pelicans. While a report came out today saying that the two have spoken since that’s still concerning information to hear.
Combine that with a report from Sports Illustrated’s Howard Beck saying that GMs around the league are preparing for the possibility of him requesting a trade, and New Orleans is at the center of a ton of drama.
So, if that reality does come to fruition, what teams should be chasing Zion Williamson this summer? There are obvious risks, but the upside of a top-ten caliber talent is there as well.
NBA Trades: 5 Zion Williamson destinations this summer – Atlanta Hawks
After an impressive Eastern Conference Finals run last year, the Atlanta Hawks find themselves in an ugly spot this year. Taking a chance on a Zion Williamson would be great for them.
On paper, the pairing of Trae Young and Williamson would be one of the most exciting in the league. The alley-oops alone would warrant them being one of the most televised teams in the country.
Star power runs the NBA nowadays, and when it comes to young talent, you won’t find much more star power than Williamson and Young, even with injuries being accounted for.
Atlanta has the assets to make a deal happen if Williamson were to request a trade. So, since they have already struggled mightily this year, why not shake things up?
NBA Trades: 5 Zion Williamson destinations this summer – New York Knicks
Most New York Knicks fans would still argue to this day that they should have been the team in the position to draft Zion Williamson back at the 2019 NBA Draft.
And while they might be grateful to have slipped to three in hindsight, why not go out and get him now? If Williamson wants to play in a big market, there aren’t many better options than New York.
Plus, the move would see Williamson join forces with former college teammate RJ Barrett, a pairing that would help give the Knicks one of the most promising young cores in the league.
The only question is, what would the Knicks be able to offer that would interest the New Orleans Pelicans? That’s where a deal could get held up.
NBA Trades: 5 Zion Williamson destinations this summer – Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets have a nice foundation right now and look primed to compete for a playoff spot. However, why not look to make a serious improvement?
Sure, trading for Zion Williamson comes with clear risks, but pairing him with LaMelo Ball would be must-see television on a nightly basis, and a huge win from a marketing perspective alone.
Williamson wouldn’t help them fix their defensive issues, but he’d give Ball another lob threat to work with and provide the Hornets with one of the best interior scorers in the league.
Just like the Knicks, though, this deal would revolve around if the Hornets have any assets that would be of interest to the Pelicans. Terry Rozier and PJ Washington immediately come to mind.
NBA Trades: 5 Zion Williamson destinations this summer – Oklahoma City Thunder
Again, this idea is following the trend of pairing Zion Williamson alongside an elite point guard, as Shai Gilegous-Alexander would be that guy in this scenario.
To get it out of the way immediately, no, the Oklahoma City Thunder do not have the assets to trade for Williamson. That is, however, unless the New Orleans Pelicans want a heaping helping of picks.
Putting Williamson on a team with Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, and other young talents would immediately help push the Thunder’s rebuild forward.
Oklahoma City is on the same timeline as Williamson, and if he needs more time to recover, they could simply load up on more draft picks and use their tons of cap space in the meantime.
NBA Trades: 5 Zion Williamson destinations this summer – Dallas Mavericks
This destination is by far the most intriguing from a long-term perspective. If you thought Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were fun point guards to pair Zion Williamson with… oh boy.
The duo Williamson and Luka Doncic would be, on paper, by far the most promising young tandem in the NBA. Doncic is already a top-ten player, and this would give him an elite lob threat to work with.
Dallas abandoned the Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis experiment, so why not go out and get a different power forward this summer to pair Doncic with?
Just like with the rest of these teams, the Mavs would probably struggle to put together an appealing package for Williamson. But as Kevin Garnett once said, anything is possible.