The Lakers can create Showtime 2.0 by reaching a deal with the Pelicans for Zion Williams

According to the post of Eddie Bitar, senior special contributor of US sports media F/W. The Los Angeles Lakers are always preparing for big moves. This is their tradition. Since LeBron James still performs at the elite level, Luca Doncic appears on the roster as the top five players, and the supporting cast feels shorter than the Thunder, it's time to ask a question: What if Los Angeles choose a deal?

Entering into the New Orleans Pelicans, a team full of celebrity talents but lacking a clear direction. They traded Brandon Ingram before the trade deadline, Zion Williamson's contract is still long, and Jones and Missy are the cornerstone of the team's progress. That's why we've come up with a crazy trading idea involving Zijin again. Can the Lakers and Pelicans jointly reach a league-shaking deal around Zion Williamson? The Lakers got their Showtime 2.0 moments with a long-time replacement for the resigned Anthony Davis, while the Pelicans got a new start. Let's analyze how and why this big deal became a reality.

Lakers get: Zion

Pelicans get: Reeves, Hachimura, 2031 first-round draft pick, 2026 first-round draft pick exchange

Showtime 2.0 The three giants jointly created

The Lakers have been thriving with the superstars. Adding Zion Williamson to LeBron James and Luca Doncic created a modern version of this dominance: body shape, technology, and primitive dominance. Despite playing only 30 games this season, Zion still has durability issues, but remains one of the league’s most efficient scorers, averaging 24.6 points per game and shooting 56.7% from the field this season. His athletic ability to destroy the rim and the organizational ability of LeBron and Luca will make him unstoppable.

fit is seamless. Zion thrives in the transition, who can better suit him to shoot easily than the two greatest passers of all time? LeBron and Luca's field vision will unlock a new level of dominance for Williamson, who has already enjoyed the paint. The Lakers will immediately be one of the strongest teams in the NBA, and the team may need a dominant inside presence rather than another Reeves' possessor. Zion is their perfect player.

Of course, the problem still exists, especially about spacing. Zion hasn’t developed a steady 3-pointer (32.7% career) and the team has struggled with their shooting (average 12.9 hits per game this season, with a shooting percentage of 36.0%. With the new Big Three, there will be no problem with the Lakers signing the shooter in free agents. If Zion stays on the court, the Lakers' championship window will be far ahead of LeBron's last few years.

New Orleans Pelicans chose to completely rebuild

The Pelicans have been wandering in the NBA purgatory for years - gifted, but never good enough to compete. The deal marks a belated reset, and the transfer to Ingram is the first step. While breaking up with Zion Williamson isn't easy, the reality is that his usability has always been a problem. He has played only 214 games in the past six seasons and has even been suspended for one game this season, leaving New Orleans in a state of uncertainty. Now trading him can allow them to reshape their roster.

Reeves provided the Pelicans with a rising guard (26) who excelled with and without the ball. He has shown significant growth this season, averaging 19.9 points and 5.9 assists while proving himself as a high IQ player who can handle organizational tasks. Hachimura Shiraki offers much-needed versatility in the frontcourt. He averaged 13.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game this season, and was only 27 years old. Neither of these players is a direct replacement for Zion, but both fit New Orleans’ demand for depth and floor spacing, a deal that provides draft capital. The 2026 first-round pick exchange ensures flexibility, and the 2031 first-round pick can be a significant asset, especially given the uncertainty of the Lakers’ long-term future.

A big deal will make Los Angeles an indestructible team

If the Lakers succeed, they are making a statement. The Western Conference remains a challenge, with Oklahoma City, Denver and Minnesota all boasting elite superstars. The fully operational Lakers trio promoted Los Angeles to a contender overnight. If health allows, this move makes them the most dominant inside scorers in the NBA. Zion’s ability to dismantle defense will provide Los Angeles’ outside shooters with countless opportunities to create an attack mode from the inside out, with LeBron, Luca and Zion going to be the epitome of Showtime 2.0.