Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43174061/new-orleans-pelicans-move-zion-williamson

One East executive, however, called gauging Williamson's trade value "the hardest question to answer in the NBA right now."

"It's really hard to see anybody paying a ton for him right now, but there are a very limited number of players in the league when healthy who are at or near the franchise-player tier," the East executive said. "The only way you win at the highest level is to have a guy who can do the type of things he can do if he's healthy.

"I would probably do something stupid to get him if it were me making decisions."

Several executives polled agreed that Williamson's talent -- as rarely as it has been on display -- would still generate some interest in the trade market. As one general manager said, "We've seen worse players have value despite injuries."

Added another: "It's a risk, but some team might take the risk."

A GM brainstorming potential Williamson deals mentioned the Chicago Bulls, who have been shopping guard Zach LaVine for several months, as a possible fit. LaVine, 29, has his own durability issues and a contract due to pay him $95 million over the next two seasons. But he has reminded the league of his talent level by averaging 22.0 points per game with a 63.4% true shooting percentage this season.

"I bet Chicago would do that," the general manager said of a hypothetical deal built around swapping Williamson for LaVine.

An executive for another team speculated that the market for Williamson at this point would be a late first-round pick and salary filler for a good team willing to gamble that he could vault it into contender status.

"Take a swing and work on his body," the executive said. "It would be complicated with his salary, but I think it would be doable."

Other league sources believed that if the Pelicans moved Williamson, their best bet would be reaching out to rebuilding teams.

"Maybe there's a bad team that needs a star," another West executive said. "I don't think he's getting a premium picks package, but the guy has proven that when he's healthy, he's a star."