The Denver Nuggets may still be getting over their championship parade-induced hangovers, but the rest of the NBA has kicked into high gear ahead of Thursday’s NBA Draft. With the draft comes trade speculation and, as a result, a variety of futures across NBA odds markets. The most coveted player who could be on the move is none other than the No. 1 overall pick from 2019, Zion Williamson.
Zion has played at the level of a Top-10 player when on the court but health concerns combined with a growing perception that he’s not motivated to maximize his on-court potential has the New Orleans Pelicans seriously considering trading one of the best NBA prospects since LeBron James.
While the list of teams considering adding a talent like Zion is long, four favorites have emerged on futures boards: the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.
Zion Williamson's next team odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
 Portland Trail Blazers |
+200 |
 Charlotte Hornets |
+325 |
 New York Knicks |
+400 |
 Houston Rockets |
+400 |
 Utah Jazz |
+600 |
 Minnesota Timberwolves |
+800 |
 Oklahoma City Thunder |
+800 |
 Orlando Magic |
+950 |
 Golden State Warriors |
+1,200 |
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Favorites to acquire Zion Williamson
Portland Trail Blazers (+200)
The favorites to land New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson are owners of the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers are in a tricky spot. They’ve been publicly motivated to build a contender to maximize what remains of Damian Lillard’s prime, but they’re so far away from being good enough that finding a single trade that catapults them into contention seems like a project doomed to fail.
But trading for Zion does have a certain appeal. Zion is good and young enough to make passing up on a potential All-NBA talent like Scoot Henderson palatable and could appease Dame while also giving the Blazers an out in the long term. Jody Allen could also sell the team in the near future, so they’re unlikely to pivot into a hard rebuild.
What’s unclear is if this trade is possible if the Charlotte Hornets simply take Scoot at No. 2, as NBA Draft odds suggest is likely. The Pelicans' interest in Brandon Miller is not known, so it’s unclear if this theoretical trade stays on the table if that’s what the Blazers have to offer.
Charlotte Hornets (+325)
Narrowly behind the Blazers are those very pesky Hornets, who sit just ahead of them on the draft board. Charlotte’s new ownership might be motivated to make a splash to announce itself to the NBA world writ large. Adding Zion would be one hell of a cannonball.
The on-court fit, at least on offense, seems to be a dynamite one. And for a team that sometimes struggles to sell tickets and attract national attention, a Zion and LaMelo Ball pairing would be must-see television. Zion is also a North Carolina native, which might give a small-market franchise like the Hornets more hope of retaining him long-term.
For what it’s worth, Shams Charania of The Athletic seemed to pour cold water on a potential Zion trade, suggesting that Charlotte is more interested in Brandon Ingram in a trade for No. 2.
"To my knowledge the Pelicans haven't called the Hornets and offered Zion for the number two pick..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 16, 2023
The Pelicans want Scoot Henderson and I'm told that the Hornets would want Brandon Ingram" ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/xsSv6YnYYA
New York Knicks (+400)
There would be a certain poetry if Zion landed in the Big Apple after the New York Knicks narrowly missed the chance to draft him in 2019. Instead, they took one of his best friends — and former Duke teammate — RJ Barrett, who might be an appealing partner for Zion. Williamson has also heaped praise on the atmosphere of Madison Square Garden, raising eyebrows across the league.
The mechanics of such a trade, however, are complicated. The Knicks have a lot of picks to deal, but none with the same level appeal of as the other favorites do. It’s not clear that the Knicks have much else of value to the Pelicans, who may not be interested in a Julius Randle reunion. The deal then begins to enter three-team trade territory, which makes it unlikely regardless of any interest by the parties involved.
Houston Rockets (+400)
Last among the four favorites we have the Houston Rockets, who are under pressure to improve this year after three seasons circling the NBA’s drain. They own the No. 4 pick and are also hoping to make waves in free agency with north of $60 million in cap space.
The pressure is real, as their first-round picks are only Top-4 protected in 2024 and 2026 due to the disastrous Russell Westbrook trade. The Rockets have also made no secret that they’re big game hunting. Reports from Zach Lowe and others suggest that the odds of a James Harden reunion have dramatically declined, meaning a trade for a star like Williamson might be their best chance to supercharge their rebuilding efforts.
Zion is poised to make some buzz in Charlotte
While everyone else needs other pieces to fall into place to make a deal happen, only the Hornets control their own destiny when it comes to a Zion trade. If they decide they want to move the No. 2 pick for Williamson, it feels like the deal gets done. For that reason, I believe Zion to the Hornets at +325 provides the best value on the board.
My best bet: Hornets (+325)
