The Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans could be on a collision course again. We all remember the Anthony Davis trade, but could Zion Williamson be the next big name heading from New Orleans to Los Angeles?
It’s early, and all we have is rumored probabilities. With that in mind, the Lakers are reportedly among the favorites to land Williamson should the Pelicans entertain offers.
“The Lakers are the favorites to land Zion Williamson if the Pelicans decide to trade him, per @BovadaOfficial
Los Angeles Lakers: +600
Houston Rockets: +750
Los Angeles Clippers: +850
New York Knicks: +900
Atlanta Hawks: +1200
Brooklyn Nets: +1800
Memphis Grizzlies: +2500
Chicago Bulls: +2800”
The Lakers have been tied to players like Jonas Valanciunas and Brook Lopez, but Williamson represents a different level of talent, albeit one with significant risks.
A package likely starts with D’Angelo Russell and could include Rui Hachimura or Austin Reaves, and younger pieces like Jalen Hood-Schifino or Dalton Knecht, plus a couple of draft picks. Even then, teams like the Houston Rockets or Brooklyn Nets could cruise past the Lakers with all their draft capital and intriguing assets.
For LA, the question becomes whether they’re prepared to gamble on Williamson’s health and roster fit at the expense of their depth. For New Orleans, it’s whether they’re ready to move on at all. However, for now, this is little more than a thought experiment, but it’s one that could gain traction as the season develops.
