NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported over the weekend that the "early word" out of New Orleans in the early stages of the Dumars era was that the new appointee "wants to evaluate his new situation fully before deciding to outright shop Williamson."

The Pelicans are reportedly giving newly appointed President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars the edict to deal away Zion Williamson after a largely uneven six-year tenure in the Big Easy. "Since it looks like all the rumors are coming true – the final bit of intel have on this whole situation is that ownership will mandate Dumars to keep Willie Green and trade Zion.

Dumars also said of players who are a distraction or unreliable, "You have to set standards — and you can’t waver from those standards."