When the New Orleans Pelicans selected Zion Williamson with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the franchise wasn’t just drafting a player-they were betting on a future built around a generational talent. Zion was supposed to be the cornerstone, the next great Pelican in the lineage after Anthony Davis.
Fast forward seven seasons, and the vision hasn’t materialized. The Pelicans are sitting at 12-36, dead last in the Western Conference, and the postseason remains as elusive as ever.
Naturally, that kind of record sparks questions-and this time, the conversation is circling around Williamson himself. Trade rumors are swirling, the fan base is restless, and the media is asking the same question: is it time for New Orleans to move on from Zion?
But according to reports from Chris Haynes, with support from Jake Fischer, the answer from inside the Pelicans’ front office is a firm “no.” The plan, at least for now, is to keep Zion. Along with him, the team reportedly intends to hold onto young core pieces like Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Jeremiah Fears, and Derik Queen.
It’s a bold stance, and one that echoes decisions made by the previous regime-a regime that’s no longer in charge.
Déjà Vu in the Big Easy
The Pelicans have been down this road before. Different coaches, different rosters, different schemes-all built around Zion.
And yet, the results haven’t changed. Injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of cohesion have kept this team from breaking through.
Now, with Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver leading the front office, there's an opportunity to pivot. But by doubling down on Zion, they risk repeating the past rather than reshaping the future.
The issue isn’t just philosophical-it’s practical. The team has already made some eyebrow-raising moves.
Trading an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to acquire Derik Queen on draft night was a swing for upside, but a risky one. Swapping out CJ McCollum’s team-friendly deal for Jordan Poole-who’s on the books for over $30 million next season-only adds to the financial and structural questions facing the roster.
When you combine those decisions with the current record and a general lack of direction, it’s fair to wonder: what’s the long-term plan here?
A Clean Break, a Clearer Vision
Trading Zion wouldn’t just be about moving a player-it would be about turning the page. It would allow Dumars and Weaver to fully take ownership of the team’s future, free from the baggage of the previous front office.
They’ve already made their mark by drafting Queen and bringing in Fears. Those two, along with Murphy III and Jones, give the Pelicans a young, athletic, and intriguing core to build around. But continuing to center the team around Zion-who, for all his talent, hasn’t been able to stay healthy or elevate the team-might be holding them back more than helping.
This isn’t about blaming Zion. He’s an incredibly gifted player who’s had stretches of dominance.
But the reality is, the Pelicans haven’t won with him. And at some point, the front office has to stop hoping for a turnaround and start building something new.
The Opportunity Ahead
One of the underrated advantages of a front office change is the freedom that comes with it. Dumars and Weaver weren’t the ones who drafted Zion.
They don’t have to be tied to that decision. And with the team struggling, there’s no better time to re-evaluate everything.
If the Pelicans truly believe in Queen’s potential-enough to trade a potentially high lottery pick for him-then it’s time to clear the lane and let him grow. That means giving him real minutes, real responsibility, and a roster that complements his development.
The same goes for Fears and Murphy III. These are young players with upside, but they need a system and a structure built for them-not one constantly adjusting to fit around Zion.
Time to Choose a Direction
The Pelicans are at a crossroads. They can continue trying to make it work with Zion, hoping that health and chemistry finally align. Or they can acknowledge that the era of Zion as the franchise centerpiece hasn’t delivered-and likely won’t.
Keeping him past the trade deadline is a decision that could define this front office’s tenure. But if Dumars and Weaver want to truly reshape the Pelicans, it might be time to make the tough call.
Move on from the past. Build around the future.
Because at this point, trying to make it work with Zion isn’t just a basketball decision-it’s a philosophical one. And the clock is ticking.