New Orleans Pelicans Confirm They Would Consider Trading Zion Williamson

After a week of infidelity allegations, the discussion around Zion Williamson has turned to whether the player is about to find himself on a new team. Trade rumors surrounding the 2019 first-overall pick emerged as league sources reported that the Pelicans were enamored with draft prospect Scoot Henderson. Henderson is a G-League star who is expected to be drafted in the top three picks of next week’s draft. The Pelicans currently pick at #14.

Beyond the Spurs picking generational talent Victor Wembanyama, at #1, the rest of the draft’s top-five is a complete unknown. The Hornets, Trail Blazers, Rockets, and Pistons are all reportedly open to hearing trade offers for picks two through five. Furthermore, the Hornets and Trail Blazers, the two teams Henderson will most likely land with, have been the most vocal in their willingness to trade out of the top three.

Pelicans Confirm Zion Is On The Table

There has been a flurry of activity in the past 24 hours about the potential of the Pelicans trading Zion. First, NBA insider Marc Stein announced that sources within the team had confirmed that they would consider trading Zion. It was the first time since the rumors began to swirl that the team acknowledged that Zion was theoretically available. However, since then, Stein has reported additional rumors regarding the player.

Speaking on his The Stein Line podcast on June 16, Stein revealed that the Hornets were looking to put together a package to acquire Zion. ““Based on what I’m hearing, yes, the Pelicans are legitimately considering… doesn’t mean they would 100 percent do it, but they are considering the prospect of trying to assemble a deal for Charlotte’s No. 2 pick that would feature Zion Williamson.” Gaining the second-overall pick would guarantee Henderson for the Pelicans. However, it would mean giving up their young star, who has shown that he is an elite player when healthy. Do you think the Pelicans will trade Zion? This is a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop.

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Twitter loses it at Thunder-Pelicans Play-In Matchup

The 2023 NBA Play-In tournament has already been wild. The Raptors missed 18 free throws in a loss to the Bulls. Meanwhile, the Lakers needed overtime to secure playoff basketball. Elsewhere, the Heat couldn’t keep pace with the Hawks. The amount of shocks, antics, and upsets are already off the charts. If the playoffs are anything like the Play-Ins, NBA fans can expect two months of heart palpitations.

In the West’s do-or-die match, the OKC Thunder took on the Zion Willamson-less New Orleans Pelicans. Without Williamson, Trey Murphy and Brandon Ingram would need to lead the Pelicans past a young and hungry Thunder roster. Meanwhile, the ten-seed Thunder were hoping to shock the Pelicans at home. However, the Thunder had struggled against New Orleans this season, going 1-3 in four games. The loser would be starting their offseason. Meanwhile, the winner would get one more chance to reach the playoffs.

Thunder Outclasses New Orleans

In front of a packed Smoothie King Center, it looked like the home team Pelicans would be moving on. Thunder team leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up just seven points in the first half behind a constant double and triple-teaming effort from the Pelicans. However, the Pelicans were unable to completely dominate offensively and were only leading by seven at the half. A crucial advantage that the Pelicans did have was better play in the paint, out-rebounding the Thunder on both ends.

Despite the slim deficit, the second was all Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander put up 25 points to complete a game-total 31 from teammate Josh Giddey. The Thunder’s second half was enough to hold off the Pelicans, and 20 second-half points from Ingram. The Pelicans had a chance to send the game to overtime as time expired but Herbert Jones threw away a crucial inbound pass. Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with a total 32 points. Ingram led the Pelicans with 30. The tenth-seeded Thunder moved on and will face the Timberwolves for the West’s eighth seed. It marks the end of a disappointing season for New Orleans, who were completely derailed by losing Zion Williamson yet again. Williamson has now missed 60% of his young NBA career to injury.

Twitter Reacts

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ALLBLACK Taps Curren$y For New Song, “Pelicans”

ALLBLACK is a household name within the diverse Bay Area hip-hop scene. Hailing from Oakland, the “Blitz” rapper combines his city’s bounce with a low-key delivery to create a unique sound.

On his newest release, he links up with New Orleans native Curren$y for the pair’s first official collaboration together, “Pelicans.” Arriving on streaming services on Friday (January 13), the new song also comes with a music video.

The 30-year-old kicks off the track with a bang. After letting the booming 808s and claps settle in, he gets right to storytelling in his calm delivery and evident confidence on the mic. “Like Ashanti, I’m so foolish / Ridin’ with this dirty glock, I pray that I don’t use it / N*ggas wanna take my life, I guess they gon’ have to go lootin’ / N*ggas thinkin’ they f*ckin’ wit me, they gon’ have to prove it,” he raps in the first verse.

Curren$y effortlessly follows suit, matching his energy in an organic way. “New Orleans to The Bay love, it always been that way / I been connected, it’s a blessin’ / Some rappers can’t go kick it nowhere, that sh*t’s stressful,” Spitta raps in his subsequent verse.

For the first time since 2017, ALLBLACK didn’t release a project last year. In 2021 though, he dropped his stacked debut album, TY4FWM. Featuring a wide variety of artists including E-40, Peezy, Drakeo the Ruler and more, the 14 tracks evidently showcase his impact on the California sound.

On the other hand, Curren$y is continuing his streak as one of the most consistent rappers in the game. Last year, he dropped three full-length projects, as well as a deluxe version to one of them, Spring Clean 2.

Make sure to stream ALLBLACK and Curren$y’s “Pelicans” on either Spotify or SoundCloud down below. Comment your thoughts afterwards. Finally, stay tuned to HNHH for all of the newest updates and releases.

Quotable Lyrics:

Took a photo with a fan and she looked me in my eyes
She said my friends wanna know, how come you don’t believe in God?
If you rock, I’m gon’ roll, Mike Amiri make my clothes
With serial killers, demons, jackers and CEOs