Zion Williamson Trade Rumors: 3 Teams Who Could Deal For Pelicans Star

The New Orleans Pelicans are off to a disastrous 0-6 start to the 2025-26 NBA season. To make matters worse, the team announced that star forward Zion Williamson will miss the next 7-10 days with a hamstring strain before being re-evaluated. 

The Pelicans are on the fast track to have the worst record in the NBA but appear doomed by a draft day deal that could forever alter the future of the franchise. New Orleans sent the better of its first-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the No. 13 pick, which they used to select rookie Derik Queen. 

At the time, the Pelicans owned a pick swap with Milwaukee that would allow them to retain the better of the two first-rounders. But the real problem is that there were no protections on the pick sent to the Hawks, meaning that New Orleans could end up losing out on a top-three pick.

With the Bucks off to a 5-2 start, it appears likely that Atlanta will receive the Pelicans selection. Two weeks into the season, it appears likely that New Orleans will be among the teams that have the best odds to land the No. 1 pick in what is expected to be one of the best draft classes in recent memory. 

The 2026 NBA Draft boasts three potential franchise players in A.J. Dybanta, Cameron Boozer, and Darryn Peterson, making the move even more puzzling. Given recent lottery winners have had slim-to-none chances of winning the No. 1 pick, the Pelicans could opt to get back in by dealing Williamson. 

Below, we’ll break down three potential trade destinations for Williamson if the Pelicans decide to deal him.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons could be a surprise destination for Williamson, but he’d be a strong fit alongside Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. 

Williamson would give the Pistons another player who can attack downhill, pressure the rim, defend multiple positions, and act as a secondary playmaker. With Cunningham orchestrating the offense, Williamson could focus on what he does best — using his burst and strength to collapse defenses, create mismatches, and fuel transition opportunities.

While staying healthy has been a major problem for the former No.1 overall pick, this is the kind of big swing that the Pistons can afford given how well they’ve drafted in recent seasons.

A move to Detroit could give Zion the type of fresh start that he desperately needs. Williamson is still only 25 years old and fits the franchise’s current timeline to compete for a championship with Cunningham (24), Duren (21), Ausar Thompson (22), and Ron Holland (20). 

And given his injury history, it might be a good buy-low opportunity for Detroit. A deal involving Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey, and a first-round pick would almost certainly be enough to get the conversation started.

Miami Heat

If anyone can get Zion Williamson to take his weight seriously, it’s the Miami Heat. 

In Miami, Williamson would step into a culture that would test his discipline and maximize his potential. He would immediately become the focal point of a franchise searching for its next star. 

With Jimmy Butler now in Golden State, the Heat still have enough talent and structure to compete but lack a true offensive centerpiece, a void Williamson could fill from day one. Surrounded by complementary pieces like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, Zion would give Miami a go-to scorer who can get to the rim at will, draw double teams, and create offense in the halfcourt.

For a Heat team that prides itself on toughness and conditioning, a healthy Zion could bring back the star power and swagger that Miami has been missing since Butler’s departure.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics are off to a 3-5 start and with Jayson Tatum slated to miss the entire 2025-26 season, this could be a potential gap year in Boston. 

General manager Brad Stevens has proven that he isn’t afraid to make bold deals and adding Zion to a core that already includes Tatum, Jalen Brown, and Derrick White could immediately elevate the Celtics back into title contention next season.

Boston thrived on playing positionless basketball during its 2023–24 NBA title run, and adding Williamson would certainly reinforce that identity. His blend of size, speed, and playmaking would allow Joe Mazzulla to deploy more versatile lineups while keeping defenses on their heels even with Tatum or Brown on the bench.

Armed with Anfernee Simons’ expiring contract and three second-round picks, the Celtics might be able to entice Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver to make a deal that shifts the focus toward future flexibility.