Brian Windhorst: Zion's trade value is 'higher' than Ja Morant, Anthony Davis
Yahoo Sports Daily hosts Caroline Fenton and Jason Fitz are joined by Brian Windhorst, NBA insider with ESPN, to discuss Zion WIlliamson’s future with the New Orleans Pelicans and why his trade value is much higher than other players like Ja Morant and Anthony Davis . Watch the full episode of Yahoo Sports Daily on YouTube or YahooSports.TV .
Video Transcript
What's the latest with Zion?
Yeah, I know that there's been some stuff out there, um.
And, um, I can't take it completely off the table, because that's irresponsible.
Especially with a totally new front office.
But I don't personally believe that Zion is available today.
Could that change between now and February 5th?
Of course, these things happen in the NBA, and the Pelicans are obviously having an incredibly disappointing season.
The one thing about the Pelicans is, you know, They obviously don't control their draft pick, which is remarkably problematic.
The Pelicans have some young guys on their roster whom they are excited about.
And so the question is, does that front office, who, you know, Joe Dumars, brand new in that role, does he think these young guys They've drafted Jeremiah Fears and Derek Queen.
Does he believe those players would Benefit from having Zion on their roster going forward?
That is a core decision that is one of the more interesting things in the NBA between now.
Next summer.
And the reason next summer is important is that Zion's contract is non-guaranteed.
This is... You know, when he signed the contract, it was a completely unorthodox contract.
And it ended up coming to fruition that he is a max player on a multi-year.
Non-guaranteed contract.
We have never seen that in history.
League, having a player whose contract is so fragile.
That actually increases his trade value, and I know that sounds crazy that you would say that Zion Williamson has more trade value than Anthony Davis or Ja Morant.
But I think he actually would, because a team could use him as a contract they could get.
Out of.
It's a much more reasonable gamble if you're going to, you know, try to bet on a player as a distressed asset.
But whereas Ja Morant and Anthony Davis are available, those guys could get, In theory, could get traded today.
Uh, I'm not aware of Zion being on the market.
Now, if you wanted to call the Pelicans and make an offer that intrigued them, I think they would take that call.
But I don't think that's something.
That's a direction we're headed right now, at least before this trade deadline.
