At this stage, there is little denying that both the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies possess immense young talent on their rosters. However, despite that fact, the internal environment within both franchises has grown increasingly unstable and negative, leaving them amongst the most underwhelming teams in the Western Conference and far removed from legitimate title contention.
With both teams heading in the wrong direction, that too with no clarity on how to recover, Rashad McCants has proposed a bold and unconventional solution – swapping their cornerstones in the hopes of providing a long-overdue reset and a fresh cultural identity.
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McCants wants Zion in Memphis and Ja in New Orleans
Despite the depth and potential that they possess on paper, the Pelicans have emerged as the worst team of the 2025-26 season, having won just three of their 24 games played. A major reason for this collapse has been the recurring absence of Zion Williamson, whose persistent injury troubles continue to hinder both his own progress and his team’s long-term stability.
Now, McCants wholeheartedly acknowledges that team will not be willing to take a risk to trade for Zion alone, thus, the Pelicans should add a quality two-way forward in Herb Jones and rookie Jeremiah Fears, who is averaging 15.9 points per game this season in a trade package to generate significant trade interest from a team like Memphis, who, too, are desperate for a change in their roster.
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Under McCants’ proposed framework, he wants the Grizzlies to part ways with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant, both of whom clearly have lost interest in leading the team against all odds. Put simply, McCants wants both these teams to be involved in a bold, experimental trade that could give them a chance to finally turn their depleted trajectory around.
“Zion and Herb Jones with Fear for Jaren Jackson and Ja Morant,” McCants said. “Then you bring Ja, Jaren Jackson; then, you got Queen, you got Alvarado still there. It’s a whole new look for both sides. You throw Zion in the mix with that, you say, ‘Well, let’s throw Zion in there.’ You look at two assets that are trouble assets that both sides wanna get off.”
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The Pelicans and Grizzlies are done experimenting
Considering the broader picture, both franchises have faced repeated disappointments in recent years. On one hand, Zion has consistently promised improved conditioning and long-term availability in the preseason, only for injuries to derail his seasons again and again. Meanwhile, Morant’s on-court brilliance has repeatedly been overshadowed by off-court controversies and highly publicized tensions with the coaching staff this year.
These patterns have made it painfully clear that both players may require a far stricter environment in order to finally reach their full potential. On the other hand, when discussing both these teams, the Pelicans and the Grizzlies, what matters most now is stability – reliable cornerstones who are consistently available, fully focused and capable of leading without distractions. Taking on another controversial star may only deepen the uncertainty already surrounding both franchises, especially when their respective fans have waited so patiently for an improved result.
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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 7, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.