There were recent rumors connecting the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson, but new reports have stated that the Pelicans are no longer interested in moving the star. Smokescreen or truth? Only time will tell.
This is the time of the year where there are tons of trade rumors surrounding most of the NBA's top players, sometimes players who aren't even on the trade market in reality. But where there's smoke, there's fire, and sometimes common sense, knowing how a franchise operates, and an educated guess can lead you to mapping out realistic outcomes.
With that in mind, the recent rumors connecting the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson made sense. Williamson--a 25-year old, two-time All-Star-- is still an exciting player who sells tickets and jerseys, and is putting up 22.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG and 3.4 APG on a 61.6% True Shooting Percentage despite being in and out of the lineup. But nevertheless, Williamson has been effective, and has even shown that he is a team player, being open to coming off the bench upon his return from injury.
Williamson would slot in nicely with what the Bulls are trying to do offensively.
The Bulls are third in the league in pace, and 6th in the league in fastbreak points per game (17.4). Williamson is one of the more explosive players in the league even with his injury history. He is a freight train in the open court and would excel catching lobs from Josh Giddey--who is in the middle of the best playmaking season of his young career at 9.0 assists per game--and form and interesting defensive forward pairing with shot-blocker Matas Buzelis.
New Orleans is likely looking for draft compensation to replenish their asset collection after shockingly trading away an unprotected 2026 first round pick in the deal to acquire Derik Queen. Chicago has their picks moving forward and plenty of expiring contracts, so the framework for a Williamson-to-Chicago is definitely there.
But on Friday afternoon, it was announced that the Pelicans have reportedly decided that they do not intend to trade the polarizing Williamson, or any of their young, potential-filled players that the league has likely been checking on.
Could this be a smokescreen? We've seen savvy teams announce that a player is no longer available for trade, only to then deal them once they drive up the price. It is very possible that the Chicago Bulls, or any team, has offered the Pelicans a package for Williamson that is closer to the somewhat underwhelming package that the Washington Wizards, and that they simply aren't looking to move off of him for that price. The reports that the Pelicans don't intend to trade any of their young stars could be a last ditch effort to sweeten any offers, if that is the case, should the Bulls still be on the phone? Only time will tell if the Bulls shock the world with their first splashy deal in quite some time.