Detroit Pistons Receive: PF Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Jaden Ivey, F Tobias Harris, 2027 first-round pick (top-5 protected), 2027 second-round pick, 2027 second-round pick (via Milwaukee Bucks)
The Pistons should be aggressive in improving the team this summer coming off 44 wins and a trip to the playoffs. Cade Cunningham looks like a No. 1 offensive option (26.1 points, 9.1 assists per game) although no other healthy Detroit starter averaged more than Harris’ 13.7 points per game.
Cunningham needs a No. 2 option, someone he can feed the ball to on a regular basis and help cut down the amount of times he’s double-teamed.
Williamson (24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists) has perhaps the highest potential of any trade target that may become available and at age 24 can still grow with a young core of Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren and Ron Holland.
David Griffin, the now former executive vice president of the Pelicans, was the one who drafted Williamson in 2019. Following another lost season where Williamson was once again limited with injuries, now seems like the perfect time for New Orleans to clean house.
Ivey, 23, was averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists this season before suffering a broken leg. He would immediately become the franchise’s new starting shooting guard, playing alongside Dejounte Murray or CJ McCollum in the backcourt.
Harris is a solid pro who will be playing on an expiring $26.6 million contract and the Pelicans pick up a lightly-protected future first-round pick and pair of seconds.
Moving forward with a new front office and a core of Ivey, Trey Murphy III, Murray, McCollum, Herb Jones, Yves Missi, Jordan Hawkins and whoever New Orleans selects high in the 2025 draft is the fresh start this franchise desperately needs.
