Wizards named potential trade suitor Zion Williamson with catch

The Washington Wizards already bought polarizing point guard Tree Young low, so they could do the same with oft-injured New Orleans big man Zion Williamson? It seems there is a possibility.

Since acquiring YoungThe 27-year-old, four-time All-Star whose effort, playing style and impact have long been questioned, for the relatively low price of Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum, the Wizards became a popular candidate to make similar deals for other talented but otherwise inconsistent players. Along with fellow 2019 recruit and former AAU teammate Ja Morant, Williamson is among the leading names for that type of trade.

Williamson, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, has battled injuries, his weight and off-court distractions throughout his NBA career, seemingly putting him on the trade block for the better part of several years, though New Orleans Pelicanswho hoped he could replace the impact of Anthony Davis when they drafted him, were still unwilling to ship Williamson.

But if they do, Wizards may be in the mixaccording to Josh Robbins of the Athletics.

“With the Young trade as the template for a cheap trade for a problem asset, league sources have speculated that New Orleans Pelicans big man Zion Williamson would be someone the Wizards would have to consider if the price is right,” Robbins wrote.

“The Pelicans have reportedly told teams they won’t.” trade Williamson, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Derrick Queen or Jeremiah Fears. However, since it only refers to Williamson, league sources expressed skepticism to the Athletics about the report.

“League sources said they couldn’t envision any scenario in which Washington would give up one of its future first-round picks. But one source speculated that the pick is owed to the Wizards, such as the worst of the Houston Rockets (top four protected), LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder, perhaps first-rounders Pelica, first-rounders in 2026.”

Robbins said Washington’s attempt to trade for Williamson is “an extremely long shot,” but said he brought it up in his article because “it’s been mentioned as a possibility by enough sources around the league.”

At 10-32, the Wizards are heading to the lottery again, but have shown a willingness to trade for imperfect players. In addition to Young, Washington previously acquired Jordan Poole, a streaky point guard who found himself on the wrong side of a shot by Draymond Green before his final season with the Golden State Warriors. With the Wizards, Poole posted career highs in minutes, points, assists, steals and 3-point percentage before being coincidentally traded to the Pelicans last offseason in a three-team deal that included Washington McCollum, Cam Whitmore, Kelly Olynyk and a second-round draft pick.

Williamson, 25, is in the third season of a five-year, $197.2 million contract, although various clauses, including a weight test and minimum games played, could make the final two years of his contract ($87 million) non-guaranteed.