Wizards Eyeing Zion Williamson Trade With Pelicans

The Athletic’s Josh Robbins floated the Washington Wizards as a dark horse to pursue Zion Williamson before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, saying "league sources speculated... Williamson would be someone the Wizards would have to consider if the price is right." Robbins called the idea an "extreme long shot," noting Washington is unlikely to part with its own first rounders but controls less valuable picks and has expiring contracts like Khris Middleton’s $33.3 million deal to offer. Trae Young’s delayed debut and the team’s 10-32 record complicate the calculus. Merlin sees a team weighing two paths. Zion is a high-upside, injury-prone star on a big contract with two years left, and the Pelicans publicly said he "wouldn't be traded this season" though sources doubt that. The Wizards may instead absorb multi-year contracts for draft sweeteners or wait for a cleaner star acquisition when cap space opens.