Marks mentions the Zion-Warriors trade as the low-risk opportunity originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Warriors may be in the market to potentially land one of the NBA’s biggest names in a trade.
On Friday’s episode of “NBA Today,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks mentioned Golden State as a serious destination for New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson if he were moved before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
“Now Zion is interesting here just because he’s injured right now [and] we don’t know when he’ll be back,” Marks said. “Getting him on the field is the best value you can get for him, whether in a trade or with the Pelicans. I’ve always been in Golden State, [who] would definitely be that team for Zion.”
Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, is currently dealing with a hamstring injury.
Injuries have plagued much of his six-year NBA career, and a Jones fracture in his right foot sidelined him for the entire 2021-2022 season. However, Williamson is as entertaining as they come when healthy.
Injury concerns aside, he would likely be an upgrade over the Warriors’ assets. Marks thought New Orleans would hypothetically get something in return.
Marks explained what the Williamson-to-the-Warriors debacle would look like:
“If you’re looking for that next superstar who might have that upside — I think Williamson can be that guy if he’s healthy — and you look at it, what would New Orleans or Golden State have to give up in a trade? Andrew Wiggings is definitely that big trade number, and then you look at a player like Brandin Podziemski, for example, and we’re going to put Kevon Looney in there,” Marks said.
“And that works there (ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine).”
Wiggins, Podziemski and Looney are key Golden State role players. But teams have to give to get.
Wiggins is averaging a formidable 17.2 points on a 46.0 percent shooting percentage, but Podziemski and Looney haven’t been as productive. Looney is a seasoned veteran who may reach his Warriors life after a storied tenure that included three NBA championships. However, Podziemski can be seen in the league as a struggling player with a lot of opportunities.
“So definitely, Golden State, if you don’t have to give up and you’re looking for that low-risk potential All-Star – there.”
The Warriors need to maximize whatever is left of superstar guard Steph Curry’s competitive run, and Williamson is certainly someone any win-now team would want to trade for.
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