Zion Williamson lands on Lakers at Austin Reaves' expense after 2025 playoffs in this 3-team NBA mock trade
Luka Doncic's unexpected move to the LA Lakers has opened the avenue for multiple superstar trades, and Zion Williamson could be next. After the New Orleans Pelicans hired Joe Dumars as Executive Vice President of basketball operations, a report from insider Shamit Dua suggested that he would be mandated to trade Williamson.
The two-time All-Star's tenure in New Orleans has been less than stellar relative to expectations after the franchise drafted him No. 1 in 2019. Williamson has missed 246 games, equivalent to three full seasons with injuries, across six years. The 24-year-old hasn't played a single playoff game after failing to stay healthy in the two years the Pelicans made the postseason during his career.
When healthy, Williamson remains one of the most dominant players. He played only 30 games in 2024-25 but was as explosive as ever once he found his rhythm, averaging 24.6 points and career-highs in rebounds (7.2) and assists (5.3), shooting 56.7%.
Because of his talent and age, Zion Williamson will likely have a significant market if Dumars decides to move on from the former Duke star as the franchise centerpiece.
Lakers can trade for Zion Williamson in three-team trade at Austin Reaves' expense after 2025 playoffs
The Lakers are never far from rumors linking them to the best possible superstar on the trade market. Just as the belief around LA losing its edge as a premier landing spot grew after an underwhelming offseason, the team acquired Luka Doncic, shocking the NBA to put itself in the mix as the destined home of generational talents again.
If the Lakers wish, Zion Williamson could be their new superstar acquisition this summer if he's made available. While LA's draft capital is not as lucrative, the assets on the team could be enough to lure the Pelicans into trading Williamson to the Purple and Gold.
Austin Reaves has ascended into a star and is LA's most prized asset, who can be a trade chip in a blockbuster trade like this. Meanwhile, Dalton Knecht can be the other major piece. He's shown signs of being a reliable 3-point shooting threat in this league.
It's a risky move for the Lakers because of Williamson's injury and conditioning issues, but with LeBron James possibly around to mentor him, LA can take that gamble and get a co-star for Doncic to build around once James retires.
Like most blockbuster moves in the new CBA, this trade must be a three-team deal. The Lakers and Pelicans could have the perfect trade partner in the Sacramento Kings.
New Orleans can remain competitive in this move by pursuing Domantas Sabonis, who is widely predicted to ask for a trade after the Kings got eliminated from playoff qualification for the second consecutive season.
Here's how the trade can be possible (simulated via Spotrac's trade machine by the author):
Lakers receive
- Zion Williamson
- Jonas Valanciunas
- 2031 second-round pick via New Orleans Pelicans
Pelicans receive
- Austin Reaves
- Dalton Knecht
- Shake Milton
- 2026 first-round pick via Lakers
Kings receive
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- Rui Hachimura
- CJ McCollum
- 2028 first-round pick via Pelicans
- 2030 first-round pick via Pelicans