The Zion Williamson era in New Orleans has not exactly gone as planned. When the Pelicans used the first overall pick in the 2019 Draft on the bulky, athletic phenom out of Duke, playoff glory in New Orleans appeared to be on the horizon. Instead, the Pelicans have had losing records in five of the seven seasons that Williamson has been in the NBA. They have made the playoffs just twice in that span, and lost in the first round both times.
Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars, who was hired in April of 2025, fired head coach Willie Green in November 2025 afer the team got off to a 2-10 start. Under interim head coach James Borrego the Pelicans went 24-46.
Dumars introduced former Orlando Magic head man Jamahl Mosley as the Pelicans’ new head coach in May.
Dumars seems intent on placing his own stamp on the New Orleans roster, and that may include trading away Zion.
Williamson had solid production this past season as he averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
Here is a look at teams that could be interested in acquiring the two-time All-Star.
Zion Williamson to Chicago Bulls rumors
The Pelicans do not have a first round pick in tonight’s NBA Draft, but multiple reports say that Dumars is doing everything possible to get one. Dumars trading away Trey Murphy, Herb Jones or Dejounte Murray seems more likely than him flipping Zion, but anything is possible with the Pelicans at this juncture.
A deal with the Bulls makes a ton of sense, considering that Chicago has two first round picks to dangle (No. 4 and No. 15).
Chicago is in desperate need of finding a marketable superstar to build around, and Zion certainly fits that bill. Of note, the Bulls’ new Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham worked in the Pelicans front office from 2010 to 2025.
Zion Williamson to Boston Celtics rumors
Brad Stevens is putting in overtime hours this week after the Celtics lost the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes to the Miami Heat. With Boston so close to having sent Jaylen Brown to Milwaukee, the relationship between Brown and Stevens may be untenable.
“Now I expect there to be a bidding war for Jaylen Brown around the league,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on Get Up! Tuesday morning. “In the most recent days, teams have been preparing for this eventuality. That it wouldn’t be the Boston Celtics that won the Giannis sweepstakes and that there would be a Jaylen Brown market. I think it will take some time to play out, but if there’s a draft pick involved, it could happen today.”
The Celtics have consistently been rumored to be interested in acquiring Trey Murphy III from the Pelicans and Williamson is the type of player that Stevens has been said to covet this summer. Boston is in need of a player that can get to the rim, as the team wants to get more offensive looks in the interior.
Zion Williamson to Phoenix Suns rumors
The Suns, like the Celtics, are a team that takes and makes a ton of 3s. Phoenix was fourth in the NBA in 3-pointers attempted this past season, and fifth in 3-pointers made.
Phoenix will likely change its offensive philosophy ahead of the 2026-27 season, however. The team flamed out in the first round against the Thunder (4-0 OKC sweep), and head coach Jordan Ott has consistently said that the team needs to generate more looks at the rim.
Williamson has often been mentioned as a trade target for the Suns over the years, as his style of play would seemingly complement Devin Booker. Phoenix does not have much in the way of draft capital to offer the Pelicans, however. The Suns do not own a first round pick in tonight’s NBA Draft.
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