The Golden State Warriors might have a bold new path to keep Stephen Curry in the championship hunt, and it comes with a familiar kind of gamble.
A trade idea making the rounds would send Zion Williamson to Golden State in exchange for Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis and a protected first-round pick. The proposal surfaced less than a week into the 2026-27 NBA season, and while it’s still strictly hypothetical, it would shake up both sides in a major way.
For the Warriors, the appeal is obvious: add a massive scoring threat next to Curry and hope the fit turns dangerous fast. Williamson brings a level of force that can tilt a defense by itself, especially around the rim. He averages 27.8 points per 75 possessions for his career, a number topped only by Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic and Michael Jordan among players with at least as many career minutes.
That kind of pressure inside could play beautifully off Curry’s shooting from deep. And with Jimmy Butler available to help run the offense once he returns, Golden State could put a lot of strain on opposing defenses.
The downside, of course, is just as obvious. Williamson’s health record makes this a high-wire move, and the Warriors would also be parting with Green, whose defense has been a huge part of their success, plus a valuable draft asset.
Even with Williamson in the mix, nothing about a deep playoff run would be guaranteed.
Porzingis is part of the equation, too. His Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome has raised questions about his long-term availability, but his contract could still make him useful for a team trying to manage payroll. In the Bleacher Report idea, New Orleans would get Green, Porzingis and a top-four protected 2027 first-round pick.
From the Pelicans’ side, the move would signal a reset. New Orleans has made the playoffs only twice since drafting Williamson, and both runs ended in first-round exits.
Williamson did not play in either series. If the team moved on, it could lean more heavily on younger pieces like Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears while trying to build toward the future.
The financial side matters, too. Williamson is set to make $44.9 million next season, and dealing him would give the Pelicans a cleaner path forward.
The trade would hand New Orleans both flexibility and draft capital, while Golden State would be betting big on talent and health. There’s no certainty attached to either outcome, but a move like this would have the power to reshape both franchises for years.
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The framework of this proposal is built around a return that would bring established veterans and draft value back to New Orleans, while also resetting the books and reshaping the roster fit. It is exactly the sort of conversation that forces a front office to weigh upside against stability, and patience against the temptation to change course. For the Pelicans, the real question is not whether a deal like this is bold enough, but whether it signals the start of a more realistic future. [Read more 🡒]