DHJ Quick Take

The Framework: The Brooklyn Nets would acquire Zion Williamson, while the New Orleans Pelicans would receive Michael Porter Jr., Ben Saraf and a 2027 first-round pick.

The Motivation for Brooklyn: After an All-Star caliber season from Porter Jr., the Nets would leverage his peaked trade value to take a “superstar swing” on Zion.

The Motivation for New Orleans: Facing another lottery-bound season and Zion’s low trade market value, the Pelicans get a proven, elite floor-spacer in Porter Jr. to play alongside their younger stars.

A blockbuster offseason NBA trade proposal sending New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson to the Brooklyn Nets has been created.

In a story called “5 NBA Offseason Trade Ideas That Need to Happen,” Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed that the Nets trade Michael Porter Jr., Ben Saraf and a 2027 first-round pick to the Pelicans for Williamson this summer.

Williamson is due $42.2 million next season. It becomes fully guaranteed on July 15. The All-Star doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.

For the Pelicans this season, Williamson is averaging 21.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 60.4% from the field, 25.0% from beyond the arc and 71.2% from the free-throw line.

Williamson was the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke. He has yet to appear in a playoff game due to injuries. The forward holds career averages of 23.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.

The Nets are in deep rebuild mode, while the Pelicans could compete for a play-in spot next season with their core of Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones, Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen. Replacing the injury-prone Williamson with Porter Jr. would be a huge upgrade for New Orleans.

It will be fascinating to see if the Pelicans trade Williamson this offseason. Many people around the NBA believe New Orleans needs to part ways with the North Carolina native and fully build around Murphy III and Queen.

Williamson in Brooklyn would create a “buzz” the team has been missing for a while, because when he’s healthy and engaged on the court, Williamson is one of the most exciting players to watch.