Zion Williamson Proposed to Land With Knicks in Massive 4-Player NBA Trade

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Zion Williamson Proposed to Land With Knicks in Massive 4-Player NBA Trade

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans on court against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on March 03, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Getty

Adel Ahmad

Thu, Aug 27, 2026 ·

4 min read

Hypothetical Trade: Zion Williamson to the Knicks

Toronto Raptors v New Orleans Pelicans

GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 11: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Smoothie King Center on March 11, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

If New Orleans struggles out the gate next season, there is a chance some of its veteran stars could be on the move. Williamson naturally comes to mind first because he is likely to deliver the Pelicans the largest return in a trade.

Williamson's link to the Knicks stretches back to his college days. There was a time when Knicks fans were hoping they would land the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft to select Williamson out of Duke University. He may no longer be that generational prize he was thought of as years ago, but Williamson is only just beginning to enter his prime. And when on the court, he is an absolute force. Here is what the Pelicans could get from the Knicks in a Williamson trade.

Pelicans receive: Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart , a 2027 second round pick (via WAS) and a 2033 first round pick

Knicks receive: Zion Williamson and Yves Missi

In this proposed trade, the Pelicans land two players they could either keep or flip into additional assets. But if the Pelicans trade Williamson, it will likely be because they are flatly a bad team. Keeping Bridges and Hart, two proven playoff contributors, at that point wouldn't be the most productive. Instead, New Orleans can turn the Williamson trade into an asset pipeline.

Meanwhile, the Knicks shed some serious payroll and distance themselves from the second apron, land a superstar talent and a 22-year-old emerging big man in Missi, who could help fill the void left by Mitchell Robinson .

Zion's Time in NOLA Coming to an End?

The Pelicans have resisted trading their star players this offseason, starting with Trey Murphy III, who has generated plenty of interest from teams around the league. Earlier this year, Williamson expressed his commitment to the Pelicans even after another rough season.

"New Orleans is home for me. I don't say that because I'm sitting in front of these cameras," Williamson said during his end-of-season press conference. "When the offseason hits, a lot of guys leave the city. I live here. … I've been here since I was 19."

Williamson also said he wants to shake up his offseason routine in preparation for the next season, hoping it could help New Orleans find its path into the postseason.

"I'm looking to take a different approach because it's frustrating getting up here every year and not being in the playoffs –- and I'll take my responsibility in that. I definitely hold myself accountable," Williamson said.

This article was originally published on HEAVY