I Haven't Given Up on Zion Williamson: Why a Trade to Golden State Saves Him and the Warriors

The New Orleans Pelicans are in a disastrous position, and it’s not just about the standings. They suck, as harsh as that sounds, they sit last in the Western Conference with a 3-22 record, and to make matters worse, they don’t even control their own first-round pick this year. That pick is now in the hands of the Atlanta Hawks thanks to last year’s deal at the draft that helped New Orleans trade up to draft Derrick Queen, who quietly has become one of the most underrated players in the NBA right now when you consider both the circumstances of his trade and how little attention he’s getting.

But that’s a side story for another time.

The real issue in New Orleans is the same one it has always been: Zion Williamson is hurt again. His inability to stay on the floor has defined his career just as much as the flashes of superstardom he’s shown when healthy. Some of the responsibility lies with Zion’s own conditioning, but the Pelicans’ training staff and environment play a role too. New Orleans is a city known for incredible food, not exactly the ideal place for a player who’s always struggled with weight and durability.

Despite being the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion still hasn’t played in a single playoff game. The Pelicans have made the postseason twice, and both times he wasn’t healthy enough to suit up. Over the past two seasons, the franchise has slipped further into frustration and stagnation, constantly recalibrating their hopes around whether Zion can stay healthy, and he never does.

At this point, it feels like this partnership has run its course, and it's simply time to move on.

Plenty of people have already given up on Zion. I haven’t.

If he gets the right opportunity and goes somewhere with the right culture and the right expectations, I still believe he can be a top-10 player in the NBA. Maybe not the generational all-time great person people hoped he’d be, but definitely someone who can dominate when his body allows it.

And there’s one place that I believe could unlock everything we thought Zion would become....

The Golden State Warriors.

I’m not going to break down the exact trade mechanics or salary-cap math. I know it’s complicated. But conceptually? Fit-wise? Career-trajectory-wise? This pairing makes too much sense.

The Warriors are known for many things: winning, leadership, keeping players accountable, and building a winning culture. And right now, they’re stuck in mediocrity. Ever since their 2022 title run, they’ve been in that awkward space where they’re not bad enough to tank and not good enough to seriously contend. They snuck into the second round last season, but that was mostly because of Stephen Curry’s brilliance, and Jimmy Butler joining the team mid-season did give them a bit of a spark to surge up the standings.

Now, 25 games into the season, they sit at 13-12 and are the 8-seed in the Western Conference, showing they probably should not be considered a legit threat to compete for a title this season.

They need upside. They need youth. They need a shake-up.

Which is why I think Williamson should be their target.

Under Steve Kerr, the Warriors have built a no-nonsense basketball culture. They don’t tolerate laziness. They don’t tolerate excuses. And they will keep players accountable every single day. Imagine Zion in that environment. Steph Curry sets the highest standard for conditioning and work ethic in the league, which is why he has been so good for so long. Draymond Green would be in Zion’s ear nonstop, pushing, challenging, and demanding effort on both ends. And if Jimmy Butler was still there, he would be doing the same to Zion.

Being around that kind of leadership changes players. It forces growth and maturity.

A side note that I think is kind of funny but somewhat underrated here. California living makes you want to be in shape.

We saw it with Luka Dončić when he was traded to the Lakers; suddenly surrounded by people who look good, live healthy, and care about their bodies in visible ways, he transformed his conditioning and came into this season leaner than ever.

Maybe Zion would benefit from that same shift.

Back to basketball. Offensively, Zion in Golden State’s system could be devastating. Playing off Steph’s gravity, cutting into open lanes, and getting easy finishes instead of bulldozing through double teams. It would be must-see TV.

The Warriors are one of the oldest teams in the NBA. They need an infusion of youth and star potential. Zion brings both. Zion is a former No. 1 pick on the verge of being labelled a bust solely because of injuries. He needs discipline, guidance, structure, and a culture built around accountability, and he is only 25 years old. I'm not ready to give up on him.

Both sides can give each other what they lack. Zion needs a fresh start. The Warriors need to make a bold move. This partnership could elevate both to new heights.

And if Zion ever becomes what we all know he can be? Golden State might just be the place that unlocks it. The New Orleans Pelicans are in a disastrous position, and it’s not just about the standings. They suck, as harsh as that sounds, they sit last in the Western Conference with a 3-22 record, and to make matters worse, they don’t even control their own first-round pick this year. That pick is now in the hands of the Atlanta Hawks thanks to last year’s deal at the draft that helped New Orleans trade up to draft Derrick Queen, who quietly has become one of the most underrated players in the NBA right now when you consider both the circumstances of his trade and how little attention he’s getting.

But that’s a side story for another time.

The real issue in New Orleans is the same one it has always been: Zion Williamson is hurt again. His inability to stay on the floor has defined his career just as much as the flashes of superstardom he’s shown when healthy. Some of the responsibility lies with Zion’s own conditioning, but the Pelicans’ training staff and environment play a role too. New Orleans is a city known for incredible food, not exactly the ideal place for a player who’s always struggled with weight and durability.

Despite being the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion still hasn’t played in a single playoff game. The Pelicans have made the postseason twice, and both times he wasn’t healthy enough to suit up. Over the past two seasons, the franchise has slipped further into frustration and stagnation, constantly recalibrating their hopes around whether Zion can stay healthy, and he never does.

At this point, it feels like this partnership has run its course, and it's simply time to move on.

Plenty of people have already given up on Zion. I haven’t.

If he gets the right opportunity and goes somewhere with the right culture and the right expectations, I still believe he can be a top-10 player in the NBA. Maybe not the generational all-time great person people hoped he’d be, but definitely someone who can dominate when his body allows it.

And there’s one place that I believe could unlock everything we thought Zion would become....

The Golden State Warriors.

I’m not going to break down the exact trade mechanics or salary-cap math. I know it’s complicated. But conceptually? Fit-wise? Career-trajectory-wise? This pairing makes too much sense.

The Warriors are known for many things: winning, leadership, keeping players accountable, and building a winning culture. And right now, they’re stuck in mediocrity. Ever since their 2022 title run, they’ve been in that awkward space where they’re not bad enough to tank and not good enough to seriously contend. They snuck into the second round last season, but that was mostly because of Stephen Curry’s brilliance, and Jimmy Butler joining the team mid-season did give them a bit of a spark to surge up the standings.

Now, 25 games into the season, they sit at 13-12 and are the 8-seed in the Western Conference, showing they probably should not be considered a legit threat to compete for a title this season.

They need upside. They need youth. They need a shake-up.

Which is why I think Williamson should be their target.

Under Steve Kerr, the Warriors have built a no-nonsense basketball culture. They don’t tolerate laziness. They don’t tolerate excuses. And they will keep players accountable every single day. Imagine Zion in that environment. Steph Curry sets the highest standard for conditioning and work ethic in the league, which is why he has been so good for so long. Draymond Green would be in Zion’s ear nonstop, pushing, challenging, and demanding effort on both ends. And if Jimmy Butler was still there, he would be doing the same to Zion.

Being around that kind of leadership changes players. It forces growth and maturity.

A side note that I think is kind of funny but somewhat underrated here. California living makes you want to be in shape.

We saw it with Luka Dončić when he was traded to the Lakers; suddenly surrounded by people who look good, live healthy, and care about their bodies in visible ways, he transformed his conditioning and came into this season leaner than ever.

Maybe Zion would benefit from that same shift.

Back to basketball. Offensively, Zion in Golden State’s system could be devastating. Playing off Steph’s gravity, cutting into open lanes, and getting easy finishes instead of bulldozing through double teams. It would be must-see TV.

The Warriors are one of the oldest teams in the NBA. They need an infusion of youth and star potential. Zion brings both. Zion is a former No. 1 pick on the verge of being labelled a bust solely because of injuries. He needs discipline, guidance, structure, and a culture built around accountability, and he is only 25 years old. I'm not ready to give up on him.

Both sides can give each other what they lack. Zion needs a fresh start. The Warriors need to make a bold move. This partnership could elevate both to new heights.

And if Zion ever becomes what we all know he can be? Golden State might just be the place that unlocks it.