Rumor: Zion Williamson changed representation recently, but his new agent, WME’s Bill Duffy, “has no intention to push” for a Williamson trade before the deadline, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks

BS Meter: Potential BS detected between the lines.

Not to slip too far into semantics, but having “no intention” of doing something isn’t the same as ruling that thing out. At the very least, this report leaves Williams and his representation plenty of wiggle room, as they can always claim things changed between the report and the deadline that necessitated a different direction.

Given that the Pelicans are buried in the standings, and that Williamson hasn’t hit the hardwood since early November, it’s hard to imagine this situation looking dramatically different at any point over the next month. So, if he is or isn’t sold on the franchise now, he’ll probably feel the same way in February.

But maybe this isn’t up to him, anyway. While a trade request could help shake things up, this really falls on the Pelicans to decide how—or if—they proceed with him.

There has to be frustration with the seemingly endless questions about his availability, but are they enough to convince the club to move away from its former No. 1 pick? Even if they’re potentially interested in that option, have those same absences tanked his trade value too low for New Orleans to find whatever it deems is an acceptable return?

This doesn’t feel like a great time to trade him given that he has played all of six games since opening night, but maybe the Pelicans can sniff out someone desperate enough for star power to send back a hefty return. Or perhaps New Orleans has zero confidence in his trade value improving moving forward. Speculatively speaking, it feels like the odds of a Williamson trade by the deadline are definitely worse than 50/50 but are greater than zero.