Could former Duke star Zion Williamson get traded by the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason?
The New Orleans Pelicans held their exit interviews on Monday and former Duke star Zion Williamson got honest about his future.
Williamson said he loves the Pelicans organization and the city of New Orleans and doesn't want to get traded this offseason.
"New Orleans is home for me," Williamson said. "A lot of guys, when the offseason hits, a lot of guys leave the city. I live here. I stay here in the city. I go out. I do different things to try to get to know the city better. This is home for me. I have been here since I was 19 years old."
Most notably, Williamson also said, "I do want to be here long term. As far as extension talks, there's not anything that can really be brought up at this moment. That's more of the business side of it. If the team wants me here, then yeah, this is where I want to be. This is home."
Williamson spent one season at Duke in 2018-19. He averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 68.0% from the field and 64.0% from the free-throw line.
How dominant was Williamson at Duke? He earned 31 awards and honors. The Blue Devils went 32-6 and made it all the way to the East Regional Final, where they lost to Michigan State by one point.
The Pelicans took Williamson with the first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Due to injuries, Williamson has played in only 276 games with New Orleans. He's never appeared in a postseason game.
Williamson is one of the best ex-Duke players in the NBA today. The lefty holds career averages of 23.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in New Orleans.
Duke fans will certainly be paying attention to see if Williamson gets traded this offseason. Former Duke star R.J. Barrett, the third pick in Williamson's draft, was traded by the New York Knicks to the Toronto Raptors during the 2023-24 season.
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