Breaking: Zion Joins the Warriors’ Dynasty: Warriors Pull Off Stunning Trade for Pelicans’ Superstar
As the Golden State Warriors reckon with their own mortality and begin to accept that Stephen Curry and Draymond Green won’t be around forever, they have been linked to several marquee trade targets to make the most of what remains of their championship window.
Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram, Zach LaVine, LeBron James, and Nikola Vucevic, among others, have all been linked to Golden State, but one proposed trade target offers a ton of potential and an equal amount of flexibility.
According to some NBA insiders, the Warriors are in a ripe position to add a player who has averaged 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over the last five seasons, all while being on one of the NBA’s “best contracts.”
The New Orleans Pelicans have been dealing with a Zion Williamson problem basically since he first entered the league. He has been unable to stay on the court for prolonged periods of time, but when he plays, he is easily a top-15 player in the Association.
The only issue is his durability. Aside from that, the Warriors would be a perfect landing spot.
“ESPN talked to two team executives at the recent G-League showcase in Orlando and both pointed to Golden State as a logical fit for Williamson,” reported Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks on Tuesday. “The Warriors have $40 million in expiring contracts, up to three first-round picks to trade, young players in Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and the $26.2 million salary of Andrew Wiggins.”
Should the Dubs trade for him, they would need him to be healthy in a playoff run. If he is unable to suit up or maintain a reasonable weight, his contract has clauses that allow his team to pay him less or waive him for no penalty.
“It is one the best contracts in the NBA, said an unnamed executive in the same article. “But looking back, it is hard to argue that any team would have guaranteed Zion $197 million without conditions in the extension.”
If the Warriors do trade for Williamson, it would be a low-risk deal. By adding him, they get a dominant interior player to pair with Stephen Curry, provided all goes well. If he ends up riding the bench, the Warriors can cut him, save nearly $200 million, and use the money to sign a high-level free agent like Butler, Ingram, James, or even Kevin Durant or Shai Gilegous-Alexander in 2026 (we can dream!).
Of course, the likelihood of the Warriors swinging a deal for a player who might not even suit up is low, but it’s hard to argue with money and numbers, and both point to Williamson being a lot less of a risk than he initially appears.
