NBA Trade Rumors: Pelicans predicted to covet $197,230,450 All-Star amid keenness on building around Zion Williamson 

Jake Weinbach @JWeinbachNBA

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I would keep an eye on the Pelicans as a potential suitor for Darius Garland with Cleveland reportedly fielding trade calls. New Orleans is truly keen on building around Zion Williamson and will be focused on returning to playoff contention under new management.

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The Pelicans hired Joe Dumars as President of Basketball Operations after failing to make strides in the Williamson era. After breaking up that core with Brandon Ingram's departure at the deadline, New Orleans seems ready to make more moves.

Garland could be a good place to begin with, considering the Pelicans need a long-term solution a point guard next year. CJ McCollum is on an expiring contract and could be on the trade block, while Dejounte Murray is recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon and has no timetable for a return.

Murray remains under contract, though. The Pelicans must find someone who can fit next to him in the backcourt, and Garland is apt for it. New Orleans has six first-round and four second-round picks available to trade with young pieces like Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, and contracts to match Garland's $39.4 million salary. He will be in the third season of his five-year, $197.2 million rookie-scale extension.

Pelicans exec Joe Dumars on Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans' new front-office hire, Joe Dumars, has already gotten busy with improving the team for the next season. Dumars addressed the trade rumors around Zion Williamson on Thursday, saying he has had "honest" conversations with the star forward about his future.

"I’ve had some real honest conversations with him," Dumars told NOLA.com. "Some real direct and honest conversations. We’re going to go forward with Zion. He’s going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward."

The Williamson experiment hasn't worked out as well as anyone, let alone the Pelicans, expected. New Orleans has made two playoff appearances (2022 and 2024) and suffered first-round exits on both occasions. Williamson didn't make it to either postseason trip because of injuries.

He's finished only two of his six seasons. Despite having a relatively healthy offseason last year, Williamson was limited to 30 games, and New Orleans wound up in the lottery again.

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Arhaan Raje

Arhaan Raje is an Assistant Content Manager and Senior Writer with Sportskeeda's NBA/WNBA team with four years of experience.

Arhaan focuses on features, trends, listicles, and the latest rumors and reports circling the league's top teams and players. He emphasizes detailed research to create impactful content for readers. A fan of Xs and Os, Arhaan provides technical deep dives in his reporting.

Arhaan completed his bachelor's degree in BBA in Media and Entertainment Management from Mumbai, India.

Arhaan admires the killer mentality of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. He respects LeBron James for being a role model on and off the court. The bold and decisive Gregg Popovich stands out as Arhaan's favorite basketball coach. LeBron's epic chase-down block in the 2016 NBA Finals has a special place in Arhaan's basketball memories.

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