Zion Williamson might stick with The Big Easy.
Despite trade rumors NBA insider Chris Haynes reported this on Friday that the Pelicans inform other teams that the 2019 No. 1 overall pick will “remain with the organization” through the trade deadline.
In addition to Williamson, New Orleans also says it will retain Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears through Feb. 5, according to Haynes.
With few teams looking to sell, the Pelicans are “disappointing the market,” Haynes added, by holding on to their talented stable of trade assets.
The news comes amid yet another disappointing season for the Pelicans and Williamson.
Heading into Friday’s game, the Pelicans are 8-31, the worst record in the Western Conference and the second-worst record in the league.
Making matters worse, the Pelicans don’t own their first-round pick this year, having traded it to the Hawks to move up in last June’s draft to select Queen.
Williamson has been limited to just 23 games with a hamstring injury and later an adductor injury, adding to the long list of injuries he has suffered during his NBA career.
He has played just 237 regular-season games since being drafted by New Orleans nearly eight years ago.
When he was on the court this season, Williamson looked like himself, averaging near his career averages with 22.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 56.2 percent in 28.8 minutes per game.
As his disappointing stint in New Orleans continues, Williamson has repeatedly found himself in trade rumors, including before last season’s deadline when the Pelicans opted to trade away longtime running mate Brandon Ingram.
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