Overview
- The Pelicans announced Zion Williamson has a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in 7–10 days, with the team off to a 2–6 start.
- Multiple league executives told ESPN his trade value "isn't super high" right now, with some suggesting New Orleans pursue a win‑now move rather than a Williamson deal.
- Williamson’s contract includes uncommon non‑guaranteed protections over the next two years, but that structure has not generated a strong market.
- New Orleans has reduced its draft capital through recent trades, including flipping a fully unprotected 2026 first‑round pick (the better of theirs or Milwaukee’s) in a move up the 2025 draft board.
- Availability remains the central concern, as Williamson has played roughly 219 of about 480 possible games since 2019, and several scouts advise against selling low until he can rebuild value on the court.