ESPN’s 2025-26 NBA Summer Forecast Team, which consists of NBA insiders from the network, votes New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson as the star who is most likely to demand a deal and “seek a new beginning.”
Although the first place vote received five points, the second place vote received three points, and the third vote for other questions, the scores for this category are in units.
Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson ranked first with 10 votes, followed by Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (7 votes), LeBron James (six votes), Ja Morant (one) and Trae Young (one).
“Williamson’s stay in New Orleans may have been extended by changes in the Pelicans’ front office, with Joe Dumars replacing David Griffin as the main decision-maker,” wrote ESPN’s Tim Macmahon.
“If Williamson can start strong this season – avoiding the injuries and bugs that plague his career – he can seek a new starting point instead of being neutral with the New Orleans franchise, it’s possible.”
Williamson, who was 25 in July, has only played 214 games since being ranked first overall by the Pelicans in the 2019 draft. The 6-foot-6 wing is an injured player dating back to his 2018-19 season at Duke.
Pelicans guarantee Williamson’s salary 2025-26
Last month, the Pelicans guaranteed Williamson’s $39.4 million salary in the 2025-26 season. This is part of a five-year extension he signed with New Orleans in July 2022, costing $17.23 million.
He will then make $42.16 million in 2026-27 and $44.9 million in 2027-28. But unless Williamson encounters the game on the threshold for the coming season, these salaries are not guaranteed.
In his first five NBA seasons, Williamson has played only 70 or more games, with only two or more games. He played 30 or fewer games in three seasons, missing all games in 2021-22.
Last season, Williamson played in just 30 games, averaging 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists, while shooting 56.7% from the field and 65.6% from the foul line.
Antetokounmpo remains open to leaving the Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo received seven votes from the group as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported in May that the two MVPs were “open” to matches elsewhere.
“Photosses have been around Antetokounmpo for several years. If he hadn’t taken this huge measure in the summer, it would be unlikely to happen.”
During a live broadcast with Ishowspeed last month, Antetokounmpo told fans that he plans to stay with the Bucks.
“Probably. Maybe, we’ll see. Maybe, I love Milwaukee,” Antetokounmpo said when asked if he would play in Milwaukee this season.
James wants to win the championship
Meanwhile, LeBron James is ranked third months after his agent Rich Paul made a statement after James exercised his $52.6 million choice for the 2025-26 season.
Paul said James “want to compete for the championship” and “he wants to compete every season he stays.” The 21st All-Star will enter his 23rd NBA season.
McMahon added: “This historically leading scorer and his camp knows that the complexity of the trade involves his – at his age, making a lot of money and vetoing contract rights for any deal –” McMahon added.
Paul’s statement leads to speculation that if James is not satisfied with the Lakers’ offseason, he may request a trade later this summer.
