“You Gotta Get Rid of Zion!” – DeMarcus Cousins’ Bold Take if Pelicans Land Cooper Flagg 

“You Gotta Get Rid of Zion!” – DeMarcus Cousins’ Bold Take if Pelicans Land Cooper Flagg

With the New Orleans Pelicans coming off a brutal 21-61 season—one of the worst in franchise history—the focus has quickly shifted to the NBA Draft Lottery, where the team holds a 12.5% chance at securing the coveted No. 1 overall pick. And if the ping-pong balls bounce their way in June, the path forward seems obvious: draft Cooper Flagg.

But what happens next could shake the NBA.

In a recent appearance on the Run It Back show, former Pelicans All-Star DeMarcus Cousins made headlines with a bold take that lit up the basketball world: If New Orleans drafts Flagg, it’s time to move on from Zion Williamson.

“I think in that case, you gotta get rid of [Zion],” Cousins declared. “They’re almost the same type of position, and I think you harm the other if you give the other one too much attention.”

Nine-year NBA veteran Chandler Parsons echoed that sentiment. “I think get rid of him if you have Cooper Flagg,” Parsons said. “You don’t want to enable Flagg and not let him grow to his full potential… They’re going to want to run the offense through him, and that’s harder to do when there’s a Zion there.”

Flagg vs. Zion: Can They Coexist?

Cooper Flagg isn’t just a promising freshman from Duke—he’s the most hyped prospect since Zion Williamson himself. The 18-year-old forward has been touted as a generational talent, known for his defensive instincts, basketball IQ, and shot-making ability. Some scouts even believe Flagg has a higher ceiling than Zion.

That comparison alone creates an uncomfortable crossroads for the Pelicans.

Zion, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2019, has shown flashes of MVP-level dominance but has also battled injuries, inconsistency, and increasing trade rumors. Despite averaging 22.8 points this past season, Zion’s long-term future in New Orleans remains a question mark—especially after a campaign marred by tension, missed games, and another early vacation.

Adding Flagg to the roster could further complicate that dynamic. Both players are high-usage forwards who thrive with the ball in their hands and operate best when offenses are designed around them. Trying to develop Flagg while maintaining Zion’s alpha role could be a chemistry disaster waiting to happen.

Trade Zion? It Might Be the Smart Play

Cousins and Parsons aren’t just tossing hot takes for attention—they’re proposing a realistic and potentially wise strategy for a franchise in desperate need of a reset. Trading Zion—whose market value remains high when healthy—could bring in valuable assets to surround Flagg with young talent and draft capital. For a team that’s languished in mediocrity and underperformance, that could be the fresh start New Orleans needs.

In fact, Cousins suggests that holding on to both could actually hinder Flagg’s growth.

“You harm the other if you give the other one too much attention,” he emphasized. “You need to let Flagg be the guy.”

It’s a sentiment that’s beginning to gain traction across the NBA landscape.

What’s Next for New Orleans?

While nothing is certain until lottery night, the Pelicans are entering a pivotal offseason. Their draft fate—and the potential arrival of Cooper Flagg—could force the front office into a franchise-altering decision. Keep building around the once-beloved Zion Williamson? Or trade him while his value is intact and hand the keys to the future over to Cooper Flagg?

One thing is clear: If New Orleans lands the No. 1 pick, the Zion era might be over.

And as DeMarcus Cousins put it—without hesitation—“You gotta get rid of him.”