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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 26: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during the second half of an 2025 Emirates NBA Cup game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Smoothie King Center on November 26, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

The Miami Heat remain one of the teams finely poised for a postseason push, albeit through the play-in path. 

In essence, the season could realistically end for them or not, however, the front office will be among the busiest whenever the curtain closes on the season.

In an article released by Bleacher Report on key trades that could become reality this offseason, one proposal involved the Heat landing a former No. 1 pick from the New Orleans Pelicans. 

The Zion Williamson era is entering its seventh year, which has flown by without much afterthought. 

The Pelicans are right where they were before drafting the 25-year-old Duke product in 2019. The injuries are well-documented and bizarre enough that Williamson has yet to play in a playoff series in his career, being only one of two No. 1 picks not to play the playoffs since 1980. 

Why the Miami Heat Could Pursue Williamson

Miami just concluded another season that ended in a play-in spot for a chance to make it to the playoffs. 

Bam Adebayo has expressed his frustrations about the fact that they don’t seem to be good enough to earn a top-six seed in recent years. They have sought a dynamic star to complement Adebayo but have fallen short. 

The Jimmy Butler era didn’t work out and ended in controversy; Tyler Herro was more of a scoring option than a real co-star. 

“The Heat are desperate for a star to help get them out of the middle of the East and should feel confident in their ability as an organization to get the most out of the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 draft,” Bleacher Report wrote.

The trade:

Miami Heat Receive: Zion Williamson.

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2026 first-round pick (projected No. 13 overall)

Williamson is still tied to a five-year, $197 million rookie extension signed in 2022, with significant portions of future seasons tied to incentives. 

He has averaged 23.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game for his career on 59.1% shooting from the field. This season, he has shown improved durability which may aid his value for any offseason move.

The Heat is still one of the teams that still have their eyes on the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation. It is very unlikely they get him as well as Williamson, however, any deal with the Milwaukee Bucks for their franchise cornerstone would demand more than what the Pelicans would request.

Why the Pelicans Would Be Open to the Deal

New Orleans invested in the 2025 draft by getting traded up to select Derik Queen at No. 13 overall via the Atlanta Hawks. He is viewed as a foundational piece, something they also thought about with Williamson seven years ago. However, focusing on Queen’s upside will likely be their approach for the future.

“New Orleans can focus on building around Derik Queen in their own frontcourt now while potentially getting back into the 2026 lottery,” Bleacher Report wrote.

Dealing Williamson will open up large cap space. The Pelicans also hold a 2026 first-round pick, which could give them another high-upside young talent to pair with Queen and other recent additions like Jeremiah Fears.