The New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson may say that they want to continue their partnership, but that does not seem like the case, nor like the smart decision from the outside looking in. It might be best for the two sides to part ways, especially as New Orleans navigates through a lost season.
It is hard to say what Williamson’s market would be like if the Pelicans did make him available for trade, given his injury history. He has dealt with a variety of lower leg issues and has missed 207 games in his career due to injury/illness. However, one team stands out as a potential fit for him.
The Golden State Warriors should take a chance on Zion Williamson to pair him with Steph Curry.
It feels like ages ago when the Warriors started off the season with an 8-1 record and were looking like a legitimate threat in the Western Conference. Since then, Golden State has gone 14-22 and are out of the play-in in the West.
The problem is that the Warriors lack a true second option behind Curry, and that has led to their offense cratering. Since December 1st, Golden State has been 25th in offensive rating (110.0), 25th in effective field-goal percentage (52.3), and 23rd in net rating (-4.9).
The revolving door that is Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Dennis Schroder, and Buddy Hield as the second option has been ineffective, and bringing in Williamson fixes that problem.
Williamson is an ineffective shooter, and that alone poses questions about the fit with the Warriors. However, Golden State has to try something to give this team more firepower, and he brings plenty of it. In his last full season, Williamson averaged 23 PPG, six rebounds, and five assists on 57 percent shooting.
He has been one of the better finishers at the rim throughout his career, and this season he is shooting 72 percent at the rim. The constant pressure he puts on the defense as a slasher is something the Warriors could use to take the pressure off of Curry.
The Pelicans and Williamson clearly need a fresh start. He needs to go somewhere that gives him a chance of winning and competing in the playoffs. The fit with Golden State may be clunky and risky, given Williamson’s injury history, but this may be the lowest value he will ever have given all of that. So why not take a swing?