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Pelicans keep Zion, add Young, AD; Jazz draft, chase championship

7/5/2026

50 12 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Pelicans kept Zion Williamson despite injuries, conditioning issues, and personal problems.
Pelicans added Trae Young and Anthony Davis via trade, drafted AJ Dybantsa first overall in 2026 and have top-ten picks Alex Sarr and Tre Johnson.
Utah Jazz drafted Ace Bailey at five and Darryn Petersen at two in 2026, then acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. from Memphis, keeping a “championship or bust” mindset that leaves them out of playoff talks.

History

Historical Context

By July 2010 the Miami Heat used $110 million in contracts to add LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Dwyane Wade, forming a “Big Three” that reshaped NBA free agency and sparked a wave of super-team building. The 2026 New Orleans Pelicans are pursuing a similar approach, showing how the Heat’s power shift still guides franchise strategies.

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Story summary

Pelicans kept Zion Williamson despite injuries, conditioning issues, and personal problems.
Pelicans added Trae Young and Anthony Davis via trade, drafted AJ Dybantsa first overall in 2026 and have top-ten picks Alex Sarr and Tre Johnson.
Utah Jazz drafted Ace Bailey at five and Darryn Petersen at two in 2026, then acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. from Memphis, keeping a “championship or bust” mindset that leaves them out of playoff talks.

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