Pelicans exec Joe Dumars says he has 'no intention' of trading Zion Williamson in offseason

The Zion Williamson era with the New Orleans Pelicans has been a mixed bag. When healthy, Williamson has performed at close to an All-Star level, averaging over 20 points per game with decent rebound and assist totals.

But injuries and behind-the-scenes issues have put a damper on Williamson’s time with the team, which hasn’t done much winning since it drafted Williamson with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Williamson, however, is coming off one of his healthiest seasons in the NBA. The 25-year-old played in over 60 games for just the third time in his career, and showed he can still be plenty productive when he’s on the court.

Because of that, Williamson was thought to be a possible trade candidate this offseason. But team president of basketball operations Joe Dumars put an end to those discussions Tuesday, saying the team has “no intention” of dealing Williamson.

That should be welcome news for Williamson, who told reporters Monday that New Orleans is “home for me,” per the Associated Press. Williamson added, “When the offseason hits, a lot of guys leave the city. I live here … I’ve been here since I was 19.”

Though Williamson put up solid numbers last season, trading him was always going to be more difficult than expected due to his injury history and contract. Williamson signed a five-year, $193 million deal with the team in 2022. He still has two more years left on that deal, and will make $42 million next season and $44 million the year after.

Combine that with Williamson’s missed time — he’s played in 30 or fewer games in a single season three times, not including the 2021-22 season, in which he did not play at all due to a foot injury — and there were a few barriers that may have prevented a deal.

Despite that, Dumars could have tried to test the waters, but it sounds like he’s fine hanging onto Williamson for now. As the Pelicans have displayed, the team needs more than a healthy Williamson in order to contend in the West. It will be up to Dumars to surround Williamson with more talent next season … and then hope Williamson can once again stay healthy.