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| Pelicans big man Zion Williamson. Photo: Getty Images. |
The idea, crafted by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, lays out this blockbuster swap:
Charlotte Hornets receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans receive: Miles Bridges, Tidjane Salaün, Liam McNeeley, 2028 first-round pick (top-3 protected), 2029 first-round pick swap, 2027 second-round pick (via NOP or POR)
Williamson, who’s set to earn $39.4M next season, put up monster numbers in limited action last year — 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and nearly a block per game while shooting almost 57% from the field. The problem? Injuries once again limited him to just 30 games.
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| Zion Williamson. Photo: Getty Images. |
Since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2019, Zion has shown flashes of pure dominance — career averages of 24.7 points and 6.6 boards prove that. But he’s only been available for about 45% of possible games, and that’s the biggest concern for New Orleans moving forward.
For Charlotte, though, the upside is undeniable. Pairing Zion with LaMelo — his longtime friend — could inject new life into a franchise that hasn’t sniffed the playoffs since 2016. Throw in Miller’s rise as a promising scorer, and suddenly the Hornets would have a legit “Big 3” to build around.
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| Zion Williamson (left) and LaMelo Ball. Photo: X. |
Of course, it would be a gamble. Zion’s health has been unpredictable, and the Hornets would be giving up valuable assets and picks. But as Buckley points out, the East is wide open right now. Last season’s conference champs didn’t even have a clear-cut superstar, meaning there’s never been a better time for a bold move.
If Charlotte pulls the trigger, the Hornets wouldn’t just be chasing wins — they’d instantly become one of the NBA’s most exciting League Pass teams.
So, what do you think — should the Hornets roll the dice on Zion, or is this too risky of a play?