With the NBA season over and the Denver Nuggets the freshly crowned NBA Champions, the focus shifts to the offseason. Rumors are running wild ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft and one that has dominated the discourse is the interest around the New Orleans Pelicans potentially wanting to trade star forward Zion Williamson. If the team is really ready to move on, the discussion begins about where the often injuries forward will end up next season. Three destinations immediately come to mind for Williamson. These teams need an infusion of talent and would be perfect fits for the electric forward.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have made it clear they want to make a trade for an established player to pair with Damian Lillard. Both the team and point guard still hope to compete while paired together and have the number three overall draft selection as leverage to make a trade happen. When healthy, a pairing of Zion Williamson and Damian Lillard is capable of making some noise in the Western Conference next season. Is it enough to make them title contenders? Not likely, but it does put the team in a much better position depending on the rest of the roster. It would also give the Portland franchise something to look forward to beyond the Damian Lillard era.
Charlotte Hornets
Who says you can’t go home again? The idea of pairing LaMelo Ball and Zion Williamson together could be incredibly fun to watch. New ownership has come into the team and may be looking to make a major splash in their first season. Much like Portland, the Hornets do have a top-three selection they could decide to use in a trade to acquire the New Orleans forward. This move would almost certainly set the team up for long-term success if everyone can stay healthy. Building around Ball and Williamson could eventually put the team on the map in the Eastern Conference.
Detriot Pistons
Much like the Charlotte Hornets, the Detroit Pistons have a promising young guard in Cade Cunningham that could really use an elite running mate. While the Pistons’ 2023 Draft pick is lower than the other two teams, they still have a top selection and some young talent to make a trade work. Detroit is also hoping to build a long-term contender and a duo of Cunningham and Williamson could be exactly what the team needs to do that.
Conclusion
This all hinges on Zion Williamson staying healthy more consistently throughout the next few seasons. These trades hinge on pairing him with a dynamic guard to begin to build a contender team. Of the three options the most ideal for New Orleans, the team he’s being sent to, and Williamson is likely the Charlotte Hornets. While a trade is by no means certain, if it does happen it could change the outlook of the NBA in the next few seasons.
