NBA trade season is right around the corner and a name that has began circulating as one of the biggest players potentially on the trade block is former top pick Zion Williamson.
As rumors continue to swirl, the overwhelming sentiment surrounding the New Orleans Pelicans is that the team may finally come to terms with the reality that it may be time to move on from often-injured forward Zion Williamson.
Williamson, who entered the league as one of the most sought after prospects in recent memory after his star-studded freshman season at Duke, hasn't exactly lived up to expectations thus far in his career.
The former ACC standout has looked like a true superstar when he's been on the court, but the problem is he hasn't been on the court that much to start his NBA career.
Playing in only 224 games throughout his first six years in the league, Williamson's inability to remain healthy has been pinpointed to his poor conditioning and that alone has added doubt to the decision-makers in New Orleans who have been tasked with building a contender in NOLA sooner rather than later.
Entering the season, Williamson's weight transformation gave the team optimism that the injury woes could be put behind him and he may be poised for a huge season from the 25-year-old.
That optimism was shot down by yet another injury emerging which only added to the swirling rumors that the Pelicans may be open to moving on from Williamson for the right price.
Obviously, several teams will be linked to Williamson, but at what cost?
Nonetheless, the one team that probably won't be mentioned in the Williamson sweepstakes is the Washington Wizards and that may be the exact reason why a move could be brilliant for the rebuild in the DMV.
Wizards could swing big on Zion Williamson
The Wizards bad luck has costs them plenty of talent over the course of the last few years.
From giving up on Deni Avdija too soon, and having Cooper Flagg stripped from them in the NBA Draft Lottery, it's clear the Wizards have struggled to find a cornerstone to build around.
Perhaps emerging playmakers Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George could develop into that cornerstone, or even one of the rookies from the 2025 NBA Draft in Tre Johnson or Will Riley.
Regardless, with Washington proving to be active on the trade market in the last few months, if the right deal came along that could present them landing a premiere talent, it may be wise for the Wizards to pull the trigger.
With several young talent at their disposal, who may or may not be apart of the team's long-term plan, mixed with the additional draft capital they've acquired over the years, the Wizards could put together an attractive trade package if they chose to do so.
Not to mention, the abundance of veteran contracts on the roster they could use to facilitate a deal.
With Williamson's rumored to have negative trade value on the market, it could be the perfect blockbuster swing for the Wizards to take with the possibility that the former top pick could finally put it all together in Washington.
Is it realistic? No.
Would it be fun? Without a doubt.