The New Orleans Pelicans picked up a solid win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night, and while it marked their second straight victory, the real story might be what it revealed about the direction both franchises could be heading - especially with trade season heating up.
Let’s start with the Pelicans. Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears dropped 20 points in the win, continuing to show why New Orleans might be ready to turn the page toward a younger core.
Fears, along with fellow promising pieces like Derik Queen and Trey Murphy III, gives the Pelicans a foundation that looks increasingly like their future. And that future might not include Zion Williamson.
There’s been buzz lately - and not the subtle kind - that the Pelicans are open to moving Williamson for the right deal. Not just open, but potentially ready to pull the trigger if the right combination of cap relief and draft capital comes along. That’s a major shift for a franchise that once viewed Zion as the centerpiece of their rebuild.
Enter the Chicago Bulls.
Chicago seems to be in the middle of its own identity search. They’ve clearly committed to Josh Giddey as their long-term point guard, and while Giddey’s still developing, the Bulls reportedly see him as their version of Tyrese Haliburton - a high-IQ, pass-first guard who can run the show. Whether or not that comparison holds up is up for debate, but if that’s how the Bulls view him, it raises an interesting question: who’s their Pascal Siakam?
That’s where Zion could come in.
From a skillset standpoint, Williamson and Siakam share some overlap. Both are powerful downhill scorers who can collapse a defense and finish through contact.
Siakam’s a better defender and has more polish as a playmaker, but Zion’s physicality and scoring gravity are undeniable when he’s healthy and engaged. If the Bulls are looking for a dynamic frontcourt partner to pair with Giddey in the pick-and-roll, Zion makes a lot of sense.
And here’s the kicker: Chicago might actually have the pieces to get a deal done.
The Bulls are loaded with expiring contracts - seven in total - and that could be exactly what New Orleans is looking for. A trade package centered around players like Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, and Jevon Carter (all on expiring deals), along with a first-round pick and a couple of second-rounders, could be enough to get the Pelicans’ attention. It’s not flashy, but for a team looking to reset its books and build around a younger core, it checks a lot of boxes.
Cap flexibility is key here. If the Pelicans are serious about moving on from Zion, they’re not just looking for a star-for-star swap.
They’re looking for financial freedom and future assets - the kind of return that lets them stay nimble, take on contracts other teams want to dump, and stockpile draft picks in the process. It’s a long game, but one that could pay off if Fears, Queen, and Murphy III continue to develop.
From Chicago’s side, the appeal is obvious. They get a high-upside frontcourt talent in Zion who, if he can stay on the floor, gives them a legitimate scoring threat and a potential All-Star. Pairing him with Giddey could form the kind of young, dynamic duo that the Bulls have been missing since the Derrick Rose era.
There’s risk involved, no doubt. Zion’s injury history is well-documented, and the Bulls would be banking on their player development and medical staff to keep him on the court. But if the front office truly believes in Giddey as their lead guard, adding a player like Williamson could accelerate their timeline and give them a real identity.
This is the kind of deal that could make sense for both sides - a rare win-win in a league where trades often feel lopsided in hindsight. For the Pelicans, it’s about turning the page and building around a new core. For the Bulls, it’s a chance to swing big and reshape their roster around two young, intriguing talents.
As the trade deadline creeps closer, keep an eye on this potential pairing. The pieces are there.
The motivations line up. And if both front offices are serious about their respective futures, this could be one of the more interesting moves of the season.