The New Orleans Pelicans face a real problem: they’re dead last in the Western Conference, and have no pick in 2026. However, they might have a way to at least profit somewhat from this conundrum.
Fansided’s Christopher Kline proposes that the Pelicans can get a pick in the 2026 draft and some assets by finally blowing up, and trading Zion Williamson to the Chicago Bulls.
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The trade would look like this:
Bulls get: F Zion Williamson, F/C Kevon Looney
Pelicans get: F/C Zach Collins, G Kevin Huerter, G Dalen Terry, CHI 2026 first-round pick
“The New Orleans Pelicans technically cannot tank, as their pick belongs to the Atlanta Hawks. Even so, the Pelicans can tank in spirit, as it's time to give this roster a proper teardown. Really, that just means it's time to move on from Zion Williamson. The dream felt alive as recently as last year, but no matter how well he plays, the fear of that next injury is irrepressible…Even without a jumper, even without much of a defensive impact, Zion can elevate a team when he's on the floor. Chicago's up-tempo play style should match Williamson extremely well, too.,” Kline wrote.
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This trade does work for both sides. The Bulls finally get another All-Star, hopefully one that can elevate them from being a perennial play-in team, and the Pelicans get a first-round pick in 2026, along with role players they can either flip, or use to build around their next generation.
Speaking of the next generation, this move would also effectively hand the keys to the team from Williamson, to Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears. The Pelicans can then use the cap space they gained from moving Williamson to build a team around their young duo.
Hopefully, the Pelicans consider this proposal, and get to work on making a deal with the Bulls before the trade deadline.
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