Turning off Zion Williamson for the rest of the regular season was elementary for New Orleans Pelicans, as natural as their “NOP” shortening during broadcasts.
However, deciding how to proceed with the injured previous No. 1 Overall NBA draft seems anything but simple.
Various injuries – the latest one back contusion – will limit Williamson to 30 matches or fewer for the fourth time in his six professional seasons. It includes missing the entire season 2021-22 with a foot injury.
“Effective when healthy” exactly describes Williamson’s situation and prospects, knows something that Pelican’s fans and legal officials know too well. With Williamson under contracts for another three seasons, does New Orlean’s banks keep their sustainability and conditioning to adapt to their sudden bleaching star? Would a team conceivably act for Williamson with regard to his story?
Speaks on Tuesday’s edition of First takeESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith expressed skepticism that the handling of Williamson would be a viable move for the Pelicans.
“As good as he is, the word” bust “will think about – not because of his talent. I’m just talking about his availability,” Smith said. “If you are not available, it doesn’t matter how good you are. He is almost never available. That’s the situation.
“If, for example, you traded him right now, do you realize that you cannot ask for the farm for Zion? Or you may ask, but you will not get it because he has not been available. And no one will give it up, leaving the Pelicans in one position – even if the changed things that are in terms of agreement in some respects – you will not come to him
Williamson’s impact is less debatable. The 6-foot-6, 284-pound power forward gives a mixture of brawn and athletics that can be difficult to defend and attack.
He was on average 24.6 points, 7.2 returns, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks in 30 matches this season.
In what turned out to be his final look, a March 19th victory at Minnesota, Williamson contributed 29 points on 12-for-16 shooting, along with eight assists, five returns and three steals.
Still only 24, Williamson offers relative youth as a counter -argument to his fighters to stay healthy. Pelicans also boast guard CJ McCollum – hut with a foot control – and may be in line for a high draft to complement their core.
New Orleans entered Wednesday’s visit to the Los Angeles Clippers at 21-54, the fourth worst record in the league.
Pelicans coach Willie Green said that Williamson “must continue to remain committed to” maintaining his conditioning as he recovers from the injury and prepares for the 2025-26 season.
“There is no doubt about Z’s ability when he is on the floor,” Green said. “I thought everyone got a chance to see him deal with the ball, see him play more in pick-and-rolls like a screener. He was incredible in the games that he was on the floor, and then I think there is no doubt about where he is as a basket player when it comes to his ability on the floor.”
Again, his ability to stay there remains to be seen.
