With so many rumors swirling regarding Zion Williamson’s future with the New Orleans Pelicans, Vegas oddsmakers believe the New York Knicks team could benefit. Williamson’s career in New Orleans has been marked by highs and lows.
Williamson suffered another injury, forcing him to miss important postseason games. The great forward is entering the second season of a big five-year, $197 million contract. Williamson’s contract runs through the 2027-28 season, and the Pelicans’ lack of postseason success has fueled talk that the organization is looking into potential moves.
Adam Thompson of Bookies.com has established the odds for Williamson’s team for the 2023-24 season, and the Knicks are among the favorites. The Pelicans are currently favored to retain Williamson at +110.
Nonetheless, the Knicks are second among the clubs that may potentially trade for the veteran, at +450. This is second behind the Portland Trail Blazers, who have +300 chances to sign Williamson.
The implied probability of these odds is 18.2%, giving the Knicks a chance to trade for Williamson. Portland has a 25% chance, slightly ahead of New York. The oddsmakers still prefer the Pelicans’ chances of not trading Williamson, giving the star a 47.6% chance of staying in New Orleans.
Zion Williamson on New York Knicks: ‘I Think This Might be My Favorite Place to Play, Outside of New Orleans’
Knicks fans are aware that Williamson has been connected to the franchise since his days at Duke. Going into the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, there was some anticipation that the Knicks would land the first choice. The Knicks were tied with two other teams for the best odds of landing the first choice.
Instead, the Pelicans outperformed expectations, while the Knicks slid to third place, missing out on both Williamson and Ja Morant. Williamson has already enthused over Madison Square Garden and his time in New York City.
"New York is the Mecca of Basketball… It was dope. You can tell the fans are really behind the Knicks… But for me, I'm good in NOLA. I'm glad we got the win"
— Zion Williamson on playing in Madison Square Garden pic.twitter.com/SGjmn4zhEN
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) February 28, 2024
“I am pleased you asked, honestly. I mean, New York is basketball’s Mecca. “I enjoy playing here,” Williamson remarked at an April 2021 press conference. “I played here in college, but this is my first time playing in the pros. This atmosphere, whether people are rooting for you. It’s fantastic whether they’re booing you or not.
“To be honest, outside of New Orleans, I believe this is my favorite venue to play. I cannot even lie to you. I cannot lie to you.”
Knicks Rumors: Zion Williamson’s Status With the Pelicans ‘Is More Secure’ Than in Previous Offseasons
"[Knicks] can find a way to get Zion [Williamson] to New York… Or if they can find a way to get [Joel] Embiid… Zion is more realistic if things flame out [with the Pelicans] this year."
—Paul Pierce
(via @shobasketball)pic.twitter.com/ohuGqTzG32
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 2, 2023
In a February 27, 2024 interview, Williamson expressed a similar sentiment regarding his love of playing in New York. However, Williamson is under contract with the Pelicans until the 2027-28 season.
In 70 games this season, the two-time All-Star averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5 assists while shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc. According to The Athletic’s William Guillory, the Pelicans’ conviction in Williamson is “more fortified than ever.”
“Even with another season cut short due to injury, Williamson’s place as the face of the franchise is more secure than it was last summer, when he was at the forefront of trade rumors leading into the 2023 NBA Draft,” Guillory wrote in a May 1 story titled, “Zion Williamson is the Pelicans’ cornerstone. Who will join him? That is less evident. “While league sources confirmed to The Athletic that Williamson was never included in any official trade offers, the lack of haste to quiet rumors about him suggested a disconnect at some level.
“With their belief in Williamson as a budding superstar now more fortified than ever, the Pelicans’ next question is who will be joining him if and when he gets there.”
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