The New Orleans Pelicans management has made it clear that they will continue to build the team around Zion Williamson in the future.

Earlier, there were reports that the Pelicans management was evaluating the possibility of trading Zion. According to independent reporter Shamit Dua, the first priority of the Pelicans' new executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars is to promote the Zion trade, and he has been personally instructed by owner Gale Benson.

However, Joe Dumars immediately denied the rumors after taking office. He made it clear at the press conference at that time: "There was no order, absolutely not. I saw reports last week that I was on duty with the task of 'trading Zion', but no one called me to tell me. No, really not. Absolutely not."

On June 4th local time, Dumas continued to reiterate the Pelicans' trust in Zion in an interview with the New Orleans Advocate: "I had a very in-depth communication with Zion. We had lunch, dinner, and watched the playoffs together. We did almost everything. I had several frank and direct conversations with him. We will continue to move forward with Zion, and he will remain the core of our future team building."

The 24-year-old Zion played only 30 regular season games in the 2024/25 season, missing most of the games due to injury for the third time in four years. Despite this, he still played well when he was on the court, averaging 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.23 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 56.7%.

Zion's current contract has three years left, all of which are non-guaranteed. If the Pelicans do not make adjustments before July 15, his salary of $39.4 million for the 2025-26 season will automatically become fully guaranteed.