A handful of Zion Williamson suitors are considering offers

The NBA trade deadline the news cycle is abuzz with countless whispers, but the latest rumble is about Zion Williamson’s New Orleans Pelicans have been fined in the inevitable reality. A dwindling number of teams may even consider a deal for the former first overall pick. Almost every candidate is instead of Herb Jones or Trey Murphy IIIand with good reason. As financial rules tighten and competitive risks loom large, a logical process of elimination among league insiders reveals a surprisingly short list of franchises motivated to make the call.

Beyond strict salary cap rulesmany successful teams are unlikely to continue with Williamson as the potential risk to their established system outweighs the reward. The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, for example, are known for their precise culture and financial planning. It is unlikely to disrupt dressing room chemistry or sacrifice future flexibility for a player with Williamson’s injury and form questions. Likewise for Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets. Adding another non-shooting, ball-dominant player like Williamson doesn’t add to their core identity.

Similarly, the Boston Celtics, with a strong core built around the soon-to-be-returned Jayson Tatum, don’t need to look for such risky acquisitions. Other teams simply went in different directions. The Orlando Magic recently invested significant draft capital to acquire Desmond Bain; The Toronto Raptors are completely built around Scotty Barnes and Brandon Ingram.

The Pelicans are in no position to commit valuable draft picks to facilitate a trade for Williamson; they must acquire future assets to make up for their own forfeited 2026 pick. This requirement eliminates any team unwilling or unable to part with high-value draft compensation. For example, the Houston Rockets have already made their major all-in move by trading for Kevin Durant. They are unlikely to exhaust their remaining assets.

After eliminating teams blocked by rules, those dissuaded by risk and those lacking funds, a clear pool of potential trade partners emerges.

Pelicans press the hornets

The Charlotte Hornets stand out as the most natural, especially with five picks in the next two drafts. Williamson’s return to North Carolina carries both basketball and personal logic, offering proximity to his college roots and a familiar support system. The Hornets need franchise-changing talent and the starting capital to make a credible bid. They also have the flexibility to reshape their roster around a new centerpiece if they decide to pivot LaMelo Ball.

One realistic framework would focus on Ball, a future first-round pick in 2026 or 2027, and a secondary deal like Grant Williams to match salary. For the Pelicans, this deal secures a young point guard and future draft value.

However, Williamson and Jordan Hawkins for Miles Bridges, Grant Williams and draft considerations also work if the Hornets want to keep their young core together. Brandon Miller, Ball, Williamson, Conn Knuepel and Collin Sexton would immediately fight for a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

The Trail Blazers need a third star

In the middle of a renovation centered on Scott Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, the Portland Trail Blazers hit the gear. Henderson (hamstring) has yet to play this season as his four-to-six week recovery window has fallen through. However, they also got lucky at the gold mine in Dena Avdia.

The Trail Blazers could look back on Williamson as a reclamation project and still make progress in the NBA playoffs. They lack current draft capital, but have the future assets and young players to match the salary cap without damaging their baseline timeline. The Pacific Northwest also offers a low-pressure environment for a fresh start, something a New York or Los Angeles crew could never claim.

Basically, Portland has been looking for a transformative big man for a long time, running back DeAndre Ayton. The 31-year-old Grant has a very obvious, limited ceiling. Zion Williamson fits into their rebuilding timeline. New Orleans would get Jeramie Grant, the expiring contract of Mathis Thiboul, and picks for Williamson and Hawkins.

The Blazers can wait for the 21-year-old Henderson or find more value in an easily expandable frame. The Pelicans already have Jeremy Fears waiting in the wings to go over the point.

The Nets know the potential of the big city of Zion

The Brooklyn Nets are positioned as a team with plenty of future draft capital but no definitive star. A solid year away from a breakout year with pressure to generate buzz and sell tickets, the Nets could justify taking a low buyout on the former top pick if the price reflects the risk.

Williamson and Hawkins for Michael Porter Jr., Cameron Thomas and a 2027 draft pick satisfy all legal requirements of the trade. Brooklyn got a big name for the brand and a young shooter representing UConn to space the floor; New Orleans gets a look at Thomas near LSU’s old home and some useful size in Porter Jr.

The Kings, the Clippers can’t stop trying

The Sacramento Kings have cap flexibility, draft assets and a desperate need for franchise-changing talent. Sacramento represents a prototype for those small markets willing to take chances on high upside players, and Williamson’s explosive scoring ability could get them back to the postseason. Despite financial constraints, the LA Clippers have historically been aggressive in their pursuit of star talent. With an uncertain future and a winning mentality, Steve Ballmer’s bank account could gamble on Williamson as a cornerstone, betting on their medical staff and development infrastructure to keep him healthy.

James Harden doesn’t necessarily have to pick a new home for LA to welcome in Williamson. Yves Misi and the All-Star could be traded for Bogdan Bogdanovic, John Collins, the Thunder’s 2027 and 2029 picks. Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Williamson and Ivica Zubac would be hard to beat when healthy.

Sitting in 11th place and one game out of the postseason, those four would definitely put pressure on the other Play-In teams. Collins and Bogdanovic would at least help Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Derrick Quinn and Jeremiah Fears more than an injured Williamson, benched Hawkins or a still-learning Misa.

Domantas Sabonis for Williamson would need a few tweaks to be legit. The New York Knicks roping for Jose Alvarado works out if they send Gershon Yabusele to the Kings. Several second-round picks can be traded to even out the book.

Bucks mean business

While facing the eventual departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the small market Milwaukee Bucks will be desperate to stay relevant. The move on Williamson signals to fans that the organization is still ambitious. The Bucks can offer established veterans to match the salaries and may be willing to part with future draft capital to secure a new, marketable center for the next era. Replacing Williamson and Missy with Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis Jr. is a start.

None of these scenarios guarantee success. That’s exactly why the list is so short. As the Pelicans weigh their next move, these five teams stand as the most realistic suitors willing to take the risk that comes with betting on Zion Williamson. Ultimately, any trade will be a high-stakes gamble on a generational talent whose health and consistency remain in question. For the handful of teams with the means, motivation and opportunity, the potential reward of unlocking a perennial All-Star is well worth the effort.