Zion Williamson is quietly becoming the Pelicans version of Trae Young

The New Orleans Pelicans lost their ninth straight game against the Atlanta Hawks 117-100, but nothing that happened on the field was the story of this game. Instead it was a in-game trading the Hawks moved on, sending Trae Young to Washington in exchange for Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum. This trade officially ends an era in Atlanta as they now look to build a new identity around rising superstar Jalen Johnson.

The decision by the Hawks’ front office to part ways with Young is a decision that the Pelicans’ front office should take inspiration from when it comes to Zion Williamson and his future with the team. Williamson spent seven years with the Pelicans, one less year than Young spent with the Hawks. Hopefully, for the sake of Pelicans fans, this trade serves as a wake-up call that it’s time to end the Zion era.

It’s unheard of for a team to trade a four-time All-Star and get zero draft capital in return, but the Hawks were willing to take whatever they could get to earn a fresh start. And it appears that’s the approach Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver are taking when it comes to Williamson, as it was reported not too long ago that the organization would take the first decent offer for him.

Two very similar career arcs

Both players are incredibly talented offensively and were drafted with the expectation that they could save the franchise, and that a coach could shape the team’s offense around them. But over time it became clear that their offensive performances, due to their massive defensive shortcomings, are not really worth the effort. This is a realization that took Atlanta eight years to realize, and New Orleans seems to be moving almost in the same direction.

Despite Williamson averaging an impressive 22.5 points this season, the Pelicans have a 5-18 record in the 23 games he has played in. This is very similar to the Hawks’ 2-8 record when Young played this season.

The Pelicans also have their own version of Jalen Johnson in Trey Murphy III, who is clearly taking on the role as the team’s next franchise focus and best player. The Hawks could clear the runway for Johnson as the guy by moving on from Young, and the Pelicans should do the same for Murphy III.

Moving Young allows the Hawks to play with a defensive focus that better suits their staff and coaching staff and has proven to lead to winning basketball. Because 30 of the last 40 NBA champions had a top-five defensive rating. If the Pelicans can move Williamson in a similar fashion, the team would have a chance to run a free-flowing, swing-heavy offense in which rookie Derik Queen thrives as an offensive hub.

If the Hawks could end the Trae Young era, there is no universe in which the Pelicans should continue to hesitate to do the same with Zion Williamson.