The New Orleans Pelicans’ season has quickly taken a complicated turn. The team’s inconsistent performances, combined with the physical struggles of their star, have put the spotlight on one of the franchise’s most delicate issues: Zion Williamson’s future.

A situation made even more unstable by the dismissal of Willie Green, decided after a start to the season that fell short of expectations.

In this climate of uncertainty, an idea that until recently would have seemed unthinkable is gaining traction: seriously considering a trade involving Zion.

Gilbert Arenas: “New Orleans Must Change Direction”

Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas strengthened this hypothesis during an appearance on the Gil’s Arena podcast, where he expressed a clear stance on how the situation should be managed.

According to the former Wizards star, the Pelicans can no longer build their project around a player who cannot guarantee physical continuity:

We have to go in a different direction. We can’t keep investing all of our resources in Zion if he can’t stay healthy. If you can get something back that helps the roster grow, then you have to do it. This is the right time, because you’ve got two guys who are future stars

Gilbert Arenas

Words that perfectly capture New Orleans’ dilemma: keep believing in the potential or protect the franchise’s future.

Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears: The New Pillars of the Pelicans Project

In his comments, Arenas also pointed to the possible faces of a new era: Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears.

Both selected in the lottery of the 2025 NBA Draft, the two rookies have shown encouraging signs since their first NBA games. Energy, personality, and immediate impact: traits that pushed Arenas to define them as potential future All-Stars.

The idea is clear: if Zion cannot guarantee long-term physical reliability, New Orleans could accelerate its rebuilding process by relying on the young talent already on the roster.

Zion’s Numbers and the Usual Physical Problem

Once again, Williamson’s path has been slowed by injuries. The Pelicans forward is currently sidelined with a groin injury, the latest setback in a career marked by forced absences.

This season, he has played only 10 games, averaging over 30 minutes per night. When available, his impact has still been evident:

  • 22.1 points per game
  • 5.6 rebounds
  • 4.0 assists
  • 1.6 steals
  • 51% from the field
  • 72.3% from the free-throw line

Leader-level numbers. But the real question remains: how much can you build around a player who can’t stay on the court consistently?

Zion Williamson Trade: Extreme Choice or Necessary Move?

The idea of a trade doesn’t come only from outside criticism. According to several reports, the Pelicans would be open to listening to offers. This is not an emotional decision, but a strategic evaluation: maximizing Williamson’s value before injuries permanently damage his market.

With two young players on the rise and a project that needs redefining, New Orleans stands at a crossroads: keep betting on Zion or start a new phase built on freshness and reliability.

For the first time, the question no longer seems impossible: is Zion’s time in New Orleans really coming to an end?