NBA Rumors: Warriors, Bulls Named as Possible Fits for Zion Williamson Trade by Execs

Adam WellsDecember 31, 2024

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Amid a dreadful start to the season, the New Orleans Pelicans could look for a fresh start by exploring trade opportunities involving Zion Williamson.

Per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks, the Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls were cited by NBA executives as potential fits for Williamson if the Pelicans decide to trade the 24-year-old.

The Warriors and Bulls are really polar opposites when it comes to what they are trying to accomplish right now.

Golden State is desperately seeking players who can help maximize the remaining years of Stephen Curry’s prime. The front office has already made one move to acquire Dennis Schröder from the Brooklyn Nets with the hope he would add more scoring punch.

Chicago has been stuck between wanting to be a playoff contender and needing to rebuild. The solution presented to MacMahon and Marks by one general manager had the Bulls and Pelicans building a deal around Williamson and Zach LaVine.

“I bet Chicago would do that,” the general manager said of that hypothetical scenario. MacMahon and Marks did note the same GM added he would decline that offer if he were running the Pelicans.

LaVine is in a similar position to Williamson as being solid players, but also very susceptible to injuries and making more money than his on-court performance is worth.

One benefit of having LaVine instead of Williamson is his contract only has two years remaining after this season if you include his $49 million player option for 2026-27.

Williamson’s salary could be much more team-friendly because his contract is structured in a way that his guarantees are tied to games played and hitting certain weight checkpoints at various points during the season.

If Williamson, who has already sat out 27 games this season due to a hamstring injury, misses 15 more games, only 20 percent of his $39.4 million salary in 2025-26 will be guaranteed if he meets his weigh-in benchmark.

This also makes Williamson an attractive trade chip for most teams because of the way that they have started to operate amid the new apron restrictions.

MacMahon and Marks noted the Warriors have $40 million in expiring contracts on their books and up to three future first-round draft picks they could use in a trade.

Even though Williamson would be a huge risk because of his injury history, it might be worth it for a team like the Warriors to take if they are desperate enough given the upside he still has.

It was only eight months ago when Williamson was the best player on the court in a play-in tournament game between the Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers. He had 40 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes before leaving in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.