Is Zion Williamson's tenure with the New Orleans Pelicans reaching its conclusion? Let's examine the best NBA odds regarding Williamson's next team and determine if any wagers are worth considering.
It's astonishing how quickly the narrative can shift. From being deemed one of the most untouchable players in trade discussions, Zion Williamson is now surrounded by rumors suggesting that he may no longer remain with the New Orleans Pelicans when the 2023 NBA Draft takes place on Thursday.
Reports emerging from New Orleans indicate that Williamson shares no rapport with the Pelicans' front office or organization, indicating their readiness to move on from the former first overall pick.
With the Portland Trail Blazers eagerly seeking to bolster their roster with another superstar, could Williamson be headed to Portl and?
Let's assess this market using our best NBA betting sites and determine the best approach for our Zion Williamson next team predictions.
Zion Williamson's next team odds
Market states: Zion Williamson's next team if not the Pelicans
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Trail Blazers | +200 |
| Hornets | +325 |
| Knicks | +400 |
| Rockets | +400 |
| Jazz | +600 |
| Timberwolves | +800 |
| Thunder | +800 |
| Magic | +950 |
| Warriors | +1200 |
Zion Williamson's next team predictions
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The Trail Blazers may be the favorites in this market at +200, but I definitely prefer backing the Hornets at +325. It's well-known that the Pelicans are eager to draft Scoot Henderson, and there's no guarantee that Henderson will be available with the No. 3 pick that the Trail Blazers possess and could potentially send to the Pelicans through a trade involving Williamson.
The Trail Blazers being the favorites also assumes that they will indeed keep Damian Lillard and aim to build a championship team around him, which is something I'm not very confident will happen. Personally, I believe that Lillard will be trad ed, and the Trail Blazers will initiate a rebuild around Shaedon Sharpe and their third overall draft pick.
Plus, Lillard expressed his desire to play alongside seasoned veterans and compete for a championship, rather than young prospects. Does Williamson even meet the criteria of being a veteran with just 114 NBA games played? I don't think so.
There are fewer obstacles to completing this deal with the Hornets compared to the Trail Blazers because the Hornets have the second overall pick, ensuring that the Pelicans will be able to draft Henderson (behind Victor Wembanyama), and they also have a horrific contract in Gordon Hayward that can be utilized to facilitate a trade for Williamson.
There have also been shifts in the NBA draft odds for the second overall pick. Brandon Miller was previously favored at -150, but now Henderson is the -200 favorite. This suggests to me that a trad e involving the Hornets could potentially be imminent.
Williamson has faced criticism recently for off-court drama, but if you are the Hornets, you only have so many opportunities to bring in a game-changer who is under contract for an extended period. The Hornets are unlikely to sign top-tier free agents in the near future (or ever), so I believe Williamson is definitely worth the risk for this organization. He has made a significant impact on the court whenever he plays, with “when” being the keyword.
While Henderson and LaMelo Ball may not seem like a perfect fit, Ball and Williamson could undoubtedly form an electrifying duo, and I think it's a risk the Hornets should embrace due to their circumstances.
Williamson also hails from North Carolina and attended Duke, so the chance to return home could provide a refreshing change of scenery and a fresh start for him. I firmly believe that the Hornets should be the favorites in this market instead of the Trail Blazers, which is why I prefer backing the Hornets at +325.
Check out our next team predictions for Draymond Green, LeBron James, James Harden, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, amd Dillon Brooks.
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