Pelicans reveal Zion plans; ‘dark horse’ for star, trade ‘lock’ emerge — NBA Rumour Mill

Zion Williamson might be sticking around The Big Easy.

Plus the trade latest on Ja Morant and Anthony Davis.

Despite rumors, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports that the Pelicans are informing other teams that the 2019 No. 1 overall pick “will remain with the organisation” through the trade deadline.

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In addition to Williamson, New Orleans is also saying it will hold onto Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears through February 6 (all times AEDT), per Haynes.

With few teams looking to sell, the Pelicans are “disappointing the market,” Haynes added, by holding onto their talented stable of trade assets.

The news comes amid yet another disappointing season for the Pelicans and Williamson.

Heading into Friday’s play, the Pelicans sit at 8-31, which is the worst record in the Western Conference and second-worst record in the league.

Making matters worse, the Pelicans don’t own their first-round pick this year, having traded it away to the Hawks to move up in last June’s draft to select Queen.

Williamson has been limited to just 23 games with a hamstring injury and later an adductor strain, adding to the long list of injuries he’s sustained during his NBA career.

He’s played in just 237 regular season games since being drafted by New Orleans nearly eight years ago.

When on the court this season, Williamson has looked like himself, averaging near career averages with 22.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game on 56.2 per cent shooting in 28.8 minutes a contest.

With his disappointing tenure in New Orleans dragging on, Williamson has repeatedly found himself in trade rumors, including before last season’s deadline, when the Pelicans instead opted to trade away longtime running mate Brandon Ingram.

-This story was originally published in the New York Post and reproduced with permission.

TEAMS THAT COULD PURSUE JA, TRADE ‘LOCK’

Ja Morant could be on the move as insiders provide an early insight of his trade market.

ESPN reported this week the Grizzlies are “entertaining offers” for Morant, with a possibility the All-Star guard has played his last game in a Memphis uniform after a rocky few years including ongoing injury setbacks and off-court issues.

A separate report from ESPN even stated Morant after his latest team-imposed ban told players and some of his former coaches “he isn’t playing for Memphis anymore.”

So which teams could make a play for the Grizzlies star?

The Minnesota Timberwolves are “not in the market for a high-salaried playmaker” and “not expected to join the chase” for Morant, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

The Sacramento Kings, who’ve previously been touted as a Morant suitor, are also not seen as a landing spot for the 26-year old.

Meanwhile the Miami Heat have reportedly discussed “whether the organisation could foster a productive environment for Morant to bounce-back to his All-Star best,” according to Fischer.

The Toronto Raptors are another team to watch, with Fischer revealing they made a play for Trae Young before last February’s trade deadline with a package centred around Immanuel Quickley and draft picks.

The Athletic’s John Hollinger also suggested the Raptors were a potential suitor, given it’s been linked to other stars on the market including Anthony Davis.

Hollinger threw up a hypothetical trade package of Quickley, Ochai Agbaji and Colin Murray-Boyles for Morant, who could reunite with former Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajaković.

His report also states the Brooklyn Nets are a “deep dark horse,” adding that Michael Porter Jr. is a “lock” to be moved by the deadline, according to “one trusted league source.”

The Nets would be looking to sell high on Porter amid a career-best season — where he’s averaged 25.9 points per game.

Hollinger noted that deal, if Memphis didn’t want the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter, a deal could be opened up to a third team and open the door for the likes of Toronto, Miami or the Milwaukee Bucks to get involved.

“Dealing Porter for Morant and picks would allow the Nets to have their cake and eat it, too. They could sell high on Porter, buy low on Morant, and fill their most glaring roster weakness ahead of the 2026-27 season,” Hollinger wrote.

“In the meantime, Brooklyn could follow Washington’s lead post-trade and have Morant’s calf injury “linger” into April so they can collect more ping-pong balls. Let’s just say that Porter’s fantastic season is colliding with other organisational objectives in Brooklyn.”

MAVS EXPECTED TO HOLD AD

The Dallas Mavericks are expected to hold Anthony Davis through the trade deadline following the star centre’s hand injury.

Davis could be out multiple months after scans discovered ligament damage in his hand, with the 32-year old seeking a second opinion to determine if he requires surgery.

It’s an untimely setback for Davis, seen in a sling at Mavericks shootaround on Sunday, and the team given he was one of the hottest trade targets in the NBA.

But now, Dallas is likely to hold the oft-injured superstar through the February 6 window.

“The consensus among NBA personnel was that Dallas won’t be able to trade Davis before Feb. (6),” The Athletic’s Christian Clark, who covers the Mavericks, wrote.

“Davis’ trade value was already low because of his contract and his durability concerns. This hand injury only lowers his trade value.”