Zion Williamson’s future puts the Pelicans at a franchise-changing crossroads

After playing their best basketball of the season about two weeks ago and winning five straight games, the New Orleans Pelicans have returned to reality. Friday night’s loss to Portland was the Pelicans’ sixth straight, and while the team is struggling, Zion Williamson continues to look like a top-10 player in the world.

To round out the new year for the Pelicans, Williamson scored 35 points, brought in eight rebounds, had two assists, two steals and two blocks. He also shot an impressive 57 percent from the floor against elite rim protectors Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III

Over his last three games, Williamson is averaging 32.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.6 stocks (steals + blocks) and 62.3 shots from the floor in just 29.7 minutes per game.

With the Pelicans falling deeper into the Western Conference standings and Williamson playing at an elite level, the front office faces a tough decision ahead of the trade deadline. Are they trading Williamson because his value may never be higher, or are they okay with the idea that he can sustain this production in the long run alongside Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears and Trey Murphy III?

Zion’s best basketball doesn’t result in wins

It feels like every year, as the deadline approaches, the same conversations are had about Williamson and what his future looks like in New Orleans. When he plays, Williamson’s injuries are usually the only thing holding the Pelicans back. That is not the case this season.

In the 20 games that Williamson has played this season, the Pelicans have a 5-15 record in those games. That statistic alone should force the Pelicans’ front office to seriously reconsider their course of action.

Obviously, New Orleans is a better team when Williamson plays because he is an All-Star player who can take over games. But they’re still not a playoff-level team, and if he plays, they’ll still have a record well under .500. So I ask the question: What value does holding on to him at another trade deadline bring to this team? All it does is slow down the rebuilding process around Queen and Fears.

There has been concern for some time that if Williamson were traded early this season, his value would likely be at an all-time low. That’s a story that has turned his recent production on its head, giving the Pelicans the perfect opportunity to sell.