NBA Trade Rumor: Brooklyn Nets Supersize Rebuild with Proposed Zion Williamson Trade

The New Orleans Pelicans had another dreadful season this year, and trade talk surrounding Zion Williamson will no doubt surface again this offseason.

At 59 games played with six to go, he might actually hit the 60-game mark for only the third time in his career. His trade value might never be this high again. Williamson, in his six-year career, has played 24, 61, Zero, 29, 70, 30 and now 59 games.

He broke his record of most consecutive games played this season with 35 in a row and has suited up in 49 of the Pelicans' last 50 games. Iron man stuff for Zion. His scoring average is at a personal low at 21.3 ppg, as are his rebound numbers at 5.7 per game. But he seems to be in the best physical shape he's been in for... maybe forever... and "deserves a ton of praise for the way he has been playing amid a lost season," writes Cem Yolbulan of si.com.

So maybe his revival season sets us up for a long-rumored trade out of the Big Easy. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report has proposed a deal that would supersize the Brooklyn Nets' rebuild and take it to a new level with the 6'6", 284-pound forward.

Brooklyn Nets receive:

Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans receive:

Michael Porter Jr.
Ben Saraf
2027 first-round pick (via NYK)

Based in New York City, the Nets need to have some star power to compete with the Knicks for the fans' dollars. Williamson is that, despite his flaws.

Brian Lews of the New York Post recently wrote that, "The Nets intend to flip the switch and try to compete as soon as next season."

Buckley notes that "After loading up on playmakers last summer, Brooklyn could be on the hunt for play-finishers. That part of Williamson's game looks as good as ever."

For the Pels, they get a Porter Jr. who has had a breakout season as the leading man for the first time in his career. He's averaging 24.2 ppg, six points better a night than his previous best. He was one of the top trade candidates at the deadline, but the Nets decided to keep him for a bigger return. And Zion could be it, in this mock scenario.

For New Orleans, Porter gives them more floor spacing that "could be particularly helpful in giving youngsters Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen more room to operate," notes Buckley.

We'll see if the Pelicans finally pull the trigger on a Williamson trade this summer.