Zion Injury Crashes Pelicans' Trade Value

Merlin sees the Pelicans stuck in a bind: after another hamstring strain that will sideline Zion Williamson 7–10 days, league scouts tell ESPN his trade value "isn't super high." Teams note his injury history, limited games (219 since 2019) and contract contingencies, so few rivals are rushing to offer meaningful assets. That matters because New Orleans faces pressure to win now and may prefer a short-term roster move over selling a still-electric but fragile star. Merlin muses that while Zion flashes elite numbers in small samples (22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds in five starts), the Pelicans' 0–6 stumble and the inability to tank — thanks to past pick deals — leave them with hard choices. As one scout told reporters, there's "no reason" to sell low; expect New Orleans to seek roster help instead of a full reset.