No longer for sale! The Pelicans have clearly told other teams they have no intention of trading Zion, Murphy, and three others.

As of January 10th Beijing time, reporter Haynes has reported that the New Orleans Pelicans have made it clear to other league teams that Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herbert Jones, Derrick Quinn, and Jerrie Felice are not available for trade before the February 6th trade deadline (Beijing time).

There had been many speculations that the Pelicans might rebuild around rookies Quinn and Felice by putting Zion, Murphy, or Jones on the trade block. Notably, the Pelicans do not own their 2026 first-round draft pick, meaning they have no incentive to make a mid-season roster rebuild this year.

Jones signed a contract extension with the Pelicans during the offseason and won’t become a free agent until 2029 at the earliest; Murphy is in the first year of his extension, which runs through the 2028-29 season. Zion’s contract with the team lasts until the 2027-28 season.

Previously, reporter Siegel mentioned that the Bulls were scouting the Pelicans, viewing Zion as an ideal “low-cost bargain” target for a team like Chicago with many expiring contracts. However, it now appears the Pelicans have no intention of trading any member of their young core.

So far this season, the Pelicans have a record of 8 wins and 31 losses, ranking last in the Western Conference. Zion averages 2.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game; Murphy averages 21.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists; Felice averages 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists; Quinn averages 12.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists; Jones averages 9.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.