The Boston Celtics are undergoing one of the most intriguing offseasons in recent memory. From blowing a 3-1 lead to the Philadelphia 76ers, to Jaylen Brown going on a livestream rant 24 hours after the Game 7 loss, to Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors – the drama has been relentless.
But amidst all the noise, one potential move stands out as both audacious and logical: a trade for Zion Williamson.
The proposed deal, discussed by Dan Greenberg of Barstool Sports, would send Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and a 2027 first-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the former No. 1 overall pick.
It’s a risky move. Zion has played just 70, 30, and 62 games over the last three seasons. His durability is a constant question mark. His contract – $42 million next season – is massive.
But when he plays, he’s a force. In 2025-26, he averaged 21 points on 60% shooting. He’s one of the most dominant downhill players in the NBA. He lives in the paint. He collapses defenses. He creates easy baskets.
And that’s exactly what Brad Stevens said the Celtics need.
“Every single one of us would prefer a dunk over a 3, and we struggled to generate them.”
Let’s break down the trade, the fit, the risks, and whether the Celtics should actually pull the trigger.
The Stevens Mandate: Three Things Boston Needs
Let’s start with what Brad Stevens said after the Celtics’ playoff collapse.
In his end-of-season press conference, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations laid out three specific needs:
A center who can make the pick-and-roll an effective part of their offense.
A point guard who can initiate the offense, so Tatum and Brown don’t have to play out of position.
A player who can put pressure on the rim.
Zion Williamson addresses the third need immediately and emphatically. He is one of the best rim-pressure players in NBA history. When healthy, he lives in the paint. He draws fouls. He finishes through contact. He creates chaos.
The Celtics were too reliant on contested three-pointers against the Sixers. They couldn’t generate easy baskets. Zion solves that problem.
The Proposed Trade: What Boston Would Give Up
Let’s look at the specific deal.
Boston Celtics receive:
Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans receive:
Derrick White
Sam Hauser
2027 first-round pick
This is a significant haul for New Orleans. Derrick White is an All-Defense caliber guard who can run an offense and hit big shots. Sam Hauser is an elite three-point shooter on a team-friendly deal. The 2027 first-round pick is valuable draft capital.
For Boston, the price is steep. White was arguably the Celtics’ most consistent player in the playoffs. Hauser is a perfect floor-spacer alongside Tatum and Brown. Losing both would hurt.
But the Celtics would be getting a 26-year-old former All-Star who, when healthy, is a top-20 player in the league.
The Fit: Zion Next to Tatum and Brown
Let’s talk about the basketball.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both at their best with the ball in their hands. They’re isolation scorers. They create their own shots. They thrive in space.
Zion is also at his best with the ball in his hands. He’s not a shooter. He doesn’t space the floor. He needs the ball to be effective.
On paper, that’s a problem. Three ball-dominant players can’t all share the court effectively.
But here’s the counterargument: Zion doesn’t need to be ball-dominant in the same way. He can score off cuts. He can score in transition. He can score off offensive rebounds. He doesn’t need to isolate on the perimeter.
With Tatum and Brown drawing defenders to the perimeter, Zion would have more space to operate inside. Defenses would have to choose: collapse on Zion and leave shooters open, or stay home and let Zion feast.
There’s no good answer.
The White Replacement: Who Runs the Point?
Let’s address the biggest hole this trade would create.
Derrick White was Boston’s starting point guard. He was the steady hand who ran the offense, defended at an elite level, and hit clutch shots. Without him, the Celtics would need a new point guard.
The options are limited. Payton Pritchard is a capable backup, but he’s not a starter. The Celtics could use their mid-level exception to sign a veteran. They could trade for someone else.
But finding a player who can replace White’s two-way impact will be difficult.
This is the hidden cost of the Zion trade. The Celtics would be solving one problem – rim pressure – while creating another – point guard depth.
The Health Gamble: Can Zion Stay on the Floor?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Zion Williamson has played just 162 games over the last four seasons. That’s an average of 40.5 games per year. He’s missed significant time with hamstring strains, foot injuries, and other ailments.
The Pelicans have built around him for years. They’ve surrounded him with talent. They’ve been patient. And they still haven’t made a deep playoff run.
At some point, you have to ask: is Zion ever going to be reliably healthy?
The Celtics would be betting that he can be. They’d be betting that a change of scenery, a new training staff, and a winning culture could unlock his durability.
It’s a massive gamble. But it’s the kind of gamble that championship teams take.
The Greenberg Argument: “Maybe I Just Can’t Quit His Potential”
Let’s go back to Dan Greenberg’s reasoning.
“Thinking more about the dunks and rim presser comments from Brad, if the Giannis option falls apart I wonder if he’d call about someone like Zion. Maybe I just can’t quit his potential, but he provides a lot of what Brad talked about in his presser.”
That’s the key phrase: “Maybe I just can’t quit his potential.”
Zion Williamson is one of the most physically gifted players in NBA history. He’s 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, and can jump out of the gym. He moves like a guard. He finishes like a center.
When he’s on the court, he’s a top-15 player. When he’s healthy, he’s a top-10 player.
The potential is undeniable. The question is whether the Celtics can unlock it.
The Giannis Comparison: Why Zion Is Plan B
Let’s not pretend Zion is Boston’s first choice.
The Celtics are reportedly interested in Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s the dream scenario. Giannis is healthier, more proven, and a two-time MVP.
But if the Giannis option falls apart – if the Bucks decide to keep him or trade him elsewhere – the Celtics need a backup plan.
Zion is that plan.
He’s not Giannis. He’s not as durable. He’s not as dominant on defense. But he’s a similar type of player – a physical marvel who lives in the paint and puts pressure on the rim.
If the Celtics can’t get Giannis, Zion is the next best thing.
The Pelicans’ Perspective: Why New Orleans Would Say Yes
Let’s flip the script.
Why would the Pelicans trade Zion?
Because they’ve tried everything. They’ve built around him. They’ve been patient. They’ve surrounded him with talent. And they still haven’t made a deep playoff run.
New Orleans has a ton of young talent: Derik Queen (who looks like a potential superstar), Trey Murphy III, Yves Missi, Jeremiah Fears. They have a strong foundation without Zion.
Instead of continuing to gamble on Zion’s health, the Pelicans could decide a more balanced, reliable core gives them a better long-term future.
Derrick White would bring leadership, elite defense, and playoff experience. Sam Hauser would add shooting. The 2027 first-round pick would add more young talent.
It’s a reset. And it might be the smartest move for a franchise that has been spinning its wheels.
The Other Targets: Giannis, Bam, and More
Let’s not forget that Zion isn’t the only player on Boston’s radar.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the dream. The Celtics were reported by The Athletic to be interested in him. He’s a top-3 player in the world. He’s a two-time MVP. He’s a Finals MVP. He’s a defensive player of the year.
Bam Adebayo is another intriguing target. He would be the perfect center for Joe Mazzulla’s system – a switch-everything defender who can also score. He’s younger than Al Horford. He’s more durable than Kristaps Porzingis.
But both of those players would cost more than Zion. Both would require giving up Jaylen Brown or a massive package of picks and young players.
Zion might be the most affordable option.
The Boston Celtics have a clear mandate from Brad Stevens: they need rim pressure. They need easy baskets. They need a player who can collapse defenses.
Zion Williamson provides all of that. When healthy, he’s one of the most dominant forces in the NBA. He lives in the paint. He draws fouls. He creates chaos.
But the risks are enormous. He’s played just 162 games over the last four seasons. He’s owed $42 million next season. The trade would require giving up Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and a first-round pick.
The Celtics have other options. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the dream. Bam Adebayo is the perfect fit. But both would cost more.
Dan Greenberg of Barstool Sports put it best: “Maybe I just can’t quit his potential.”
The Celtics might feel the same way.
Zion Williamson to Boston is a gamble. But it’s a gamble that could pay off in a championship.
And in the NBA, that’s all that matters.