The NBA Finals just ended, but there is no downtime in between the championship celebration and first tentpole event of the offseason.
The 2023 NBA Draft is just over a week away, and on the day of the last NBA Finals game, The Athletic's Shams Charania released an intriguing report surrounding one of this year's top prospects.
"The Pelicans are expected to aggressively pursue a top pick, potentially No. 2 or 3, in this upcoming NBA Draft with their eyes set on Scoot Henderson. ... The Pelicans are among teams seriously pursuing that No. 2 overall pick," Charania said.
Henderson and Alabama forward Brandon Miller are widely considered to be competing for the Hornets' No. 2 overall pick. While Henderson held that position on Mock Draft boards throughout the year, Miller took over that spot after the NBA Draft Lottery because he is a more seamless fit for Charlotte.
However, many talent evaluators — myself included — still believe that Henderson is the second-best player available, and the Pelicans appear to think he could be their next point guard and franchise cornerstone.
But what would a potential deal for the No. 2 pick look like?
NBA MOCK DRAFT: Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller at No. 2?
Could Pelicans offer Zion Williamson to Hornets in trade for Scoot Henderson?
The day after the NBA Finals, Charania doubled down on his report that the Pelicans "want Scoot Henderson in this draft."
"They're having conversations with the Hornets, I'm told, about getting that No. 2 pick. The question is: How does a trade work?" Charania said. "Do the Pelicans look hard, internally, at trading Zion Williamson? Or would they move Zion Williamson? Those are the big questions."
Whoa.
Just four seasons removed from being dubbed as the most-hyped prospect since LeBron James, Williamson's injury concerns could potentially make him a trade asset. Williamson has only appeared in 114 of 318 regular season games since being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in 2019.
He has been otherworldly when he is available, tallying two All-Star appearances with averages of 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 60.5 percent shooting from the field. But he missed the entire 2021-22 season and failed to play in more than 30 games in two other seasons.
However, even with his injury concerns, the concept is an easy sell for the Hornets franchise.
Williamson is North Carolina-born, played his high school basketball in South Carolina, played his college basketball at Duke and draws a massive crowd every time he plays in Charlotte. Pairing him with LaMelo Ball would, hypothetically, deliver one of the greatest teammate mixtapes of all time.
As for the Pelicans, it would be tough to part ways with the potentially generational talent, but this would be the time to sell if they are concerned Williamson may never be able to stay healthy.
Courtesy of Fanspo's trade machine, let's take a look at two different options that work financially: One in which they trade Williamson, and one in which they form a trio of Henderson, Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
Potential Pelicans-Hornets trade with Zion Williamson
Hornets receive
- Zion Williamson
- No. 14 pick in 2023 NBA Draft
Pelicans receive
- Gordon Hayward
- Mark Williams
- No. 2 pick in 2023 NBA Draft
- 2026 first-round pick
- 2028 first-round pick
In this instance, the Pelicans get Henderson, Hayward (who matches salaries with Williamson and could be a contributor to a playoff contender if he stays healthy), a promising young big man in Williams and two future first-round picks. Meanwhile, the Hornets receive their second franchise cornerstone and a lottery pick.
Would that package be enough? If New Orleans is willing to move off Williamson, that's a pretty favorable return with an expiring contract and four future assets.
Potential Pelicans-Hornets trade without Zion Williamson
Hornets receive
- CJ McCollum
- Herb Jones
- No. 14 pick in 2023 NBA Draft
- 2024 first-round pick (via Lakers)
Pelicans receive
- Gordon Hayward
- No. 2 pick in 2023 NBA Draft
- No. 34 pick in 2023 NBA Draft
In this instance, the Pelicans get their point guard of the future while keeping Williamson and Ingram. They also still get a potential contributor in Hayward (who is on an expiring contract and matches salaries with McCollum) and one of Charlotte's three second-round picks this year.
The Hornets get a fringe All-Star in McCollum, one of the most promising young defensive weapons in the league in Jones, a late 2023 lottery pick and the Lakers' 2024 first-rounder.
Would McCollum, Jones and two first-round picks be enough to move off the No. 2 pick? There is no guarantee — but it's safe to say Charlotte would prefer the first deal.
