The New Orleans Pelicans and star forward Zion Williamson have been at the center of swirling NBA trade rumors this offseason. As speculation grows about the franchise’s direction, fans are eager to know if any player, including Williamson, is considered untouchable as the team weighs major changes.
Pelicans Reportedly Open to All Options, Including a Zion Williamson Move
In a recent report, NBA insider Kevin O’Connor revealed that New Orleans currently has “no untouchables” on its roster. League sources indicate the franchise is “gauging the market for everyone” this summer.
O’Connor stated, “There are no untouchables in New Orleans. League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster. They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, namely Zion Williamson, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer, depending on what opportunities become available”.
The New Orleans Pelicans don’t have any untouchable players on their roster, per @KevinOConnorNBA
“There are no untouchables in New Orleans. League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster. They very well could end up keeping their core… pic.twitter.com/gdDoUjNFwq
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 30, 2025
Despite sending Williamson as their representative to the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery — a move interpreted by some as a vote of confidence — the Pelicans are not closing themselves off from any deals. This approach follows a disappointing 21-61 season marred by injuries and underperformance, prompting the organization to consider significant changes to its core.
However, multiple sources suggest that, while the Pelicans are open to all possibilities, a trade involving Williamson remains “very unlikely” before the 2025-26 season starts.
Though Williamson has suffered from multiple injuries in his career, he is still the team’s most important player when healthy, as he averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in just 30 games. It is understood that the franchise and Williamson’s team have maintained contact throughout and hope to keep things positive this season.
Why the Pelicans Are Weighing All Options
The Pelicans are open to offers for anyone on the roster, even Williamson, which really shows they’re facing their struggles head-on. After finishing near the bottom of the Western Conference last season, the team’s leaders know it’s time for some bold moves if they want to shake things up and build around a more reliable core.
Trading Brandon Ingram midseason gave them a little more financial flexibility, and missing out on the lottery has only made the front office more determined to explore every option for improvement. Injuries have been a constant headache, and Williamson’s availability is still a huge question mark — he’s played just 214 out of 472 games since being drafted in 2019.
Still, the Pelicans are in a difficult position: trading Williamson now could mean selling low due to his injury history, while keeping him offers the hope of a turnaround if he can stay healthy. The franchise appears committed to monitoring the market but is prepared to move forward with Williamson as the focal point if no suitable offers arise.
