NBA Rumors: Joel Embiid, Zion Williamson Could Form Frontcourt Duo In New Orleans Via All-Star Swap

New Orleans is Zion Williamson’s team. The 2019 first overall pick made his debut late into the season, but it remains clear the Pelicans will be revolving around his exploits for the years to come. As David Griffin - the team's executive vice president of basketball operations - tries to gather the best possible talents fit for the Pels’ future, reports now say he might pursue Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid to join the 19-year-old athletic forward.

Embiid has been a long-standing target for Griffin, who has kept his close eye on the big man dating back to the 2014 draft when he served as the Cleveland Cavalier’s general manager.

"(Griffin) told us there he was taking Joel No. 1," said Embiid’s former agent Francois Nyam, per Bleacher Report’s Yaron Weitzman.

However, the Cameroonian would suffer a foot injury, forcing Griffin to pick Andrew Wiggins at first overall instead.

Six years later and now in New Orleans, Griffin could be making another pitch to acquire Embiid.

Greg Swartz of the Bleacher Report said that except for Williamson, the rest of the Pelicans could be available for an exchange deal for the three-time All-Star.

“New Orleans has plenty of talent and draft picks to offer thanks to the Anthony Davis trade. For Embiid, everyone but Zion Williamson should be available,” wrote Swartz, noting that Brandon Ingram, who is coming off his first All-Star season, could be a viable option for the deal by virtue of a sign-and-trade.

“New Orleans and Philly could agree to max Ingram out on a five-year deal worth around $170 million, flipping him straight up for Embiid,” Swartz continued.

Ingram has grown leaps and bounds since he was traded to the Pelicans in 2019. But despite already having the former second-overall pick as a full-grown reliable star in place of Anthony Davis, the Pels are still fixed on building a team around Williamson, who they said could put together “the strongest frontcourt in the NBA” with Embiid on his side.

“Embiid and Williamson aren't getting pushed around by anyone, and there's enough shooting on the roster (Jrue Holiday, JJ Redick, Josh Hart) to keep everyone spaced out.”

In four seasons played with the Sixers, Embiid has averaged 24.1 points, 11.5 assists, 3.1 assists on 47.9% percent shooting from the field and 32.2% percent from deep. Meanwhile, Williamson has already shown flashes of his brilliance as he registered 23.6 points, 6.8 boards, and 2.2 assists in his first 19 games in the NBA.