New Orleans Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson is one of the top names to follow on the trade market this summer following another frustrating season marred by injuries.
One year after suiting up for a career-high 70 games, Zion Williamson was again hit by the in injury bug and played just 30 games in 2024-25. The Pelicans finished a woeful 21-61, a major drop after going 49-33 en route to a rare postseason appearance a year earlier.
Williamson’s relationship with the Pelicans organization has been rocky for a while, and it reared its ugly head when the club suspended him for one game in January after showing up late to a team flight. At this rate, it feels like both sides would benefit from a split.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley proposed a blockbuster trade idea that would see New Orleans trading Williamson to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Jaden Ivey, Bobi Klintman, Tobias Harris, a 2025 second-round pick (via the Toronto Raptors) and a top-three protected 2027 first-round pick:
“Detroit has to find another high-end point producer, and a healthy Williamson fills it up like few others. He nearly averaged an efficient 25 points this season, and he wasn’t even logging 30 minutes per game (or 29 for that matter).
And since his healthy version is so seldom seen, the Pistons should be able to add him without emptying their asset collection, meaning this franchise could go big-game hunting again if he can’t stay on the floor or if this roster still wouldn’t have enough….
This incoming trade package would help facilitate that process. Ivey is a gifted scorer who keeps getting better, Harris is a serviceable vet who’d make the money work, Klintman is a tools-y 22-year-old, and the picks could pave paths toward future building blocks.”
The Pistons are coming off a surprisingly successful 2024-25 season, finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record. They reached the postseason for just the third time since 2010 and pushed the heavily favored New York Knicks to six games before bowing out in round one.
Detroit has a strong nucleus led by Cade Cunningham, Malik Beasley, Tolu Smith and Jalen Duran. Add Zion Williamson to the mix, and the Pistons would be in a great position to compete for the NBA Championship in 2026 and beyond.
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Zion Williamson Would Make Pistons Title Contenders
The Eastern Conference looks to be wide open in 2025-26. The Boston Celtics won’t have Jayson Tatum for most (if not all) of next year, recovering from a torn Achilles. The Milwaukee Bucks will be without Damian Lillard and may have to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Adding Williamson would close the gap with the Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers in the East and put the Pistons in title contention for the first time since 2008.
Also Read: Zion Williamson’s Tattoos: A Look At New Orleans Pelicans Star’s Unique Inks
