The New Orleans Pelicans’ decision to keep their franchise icon Zion Williamson could very well be detrimental to the team and franchise. The pick was incredibly popular in 2019 when the Pelicans drafted him because, at the time, Williamson was seen as a generational talent coming out of Duke.
Despite being projected as a future MVP, he has fallen short due to an extensive injury history, resulting in unpredictable availability. The power forward has appeared in less than 45-percent of regular season games since being drafted by New Orleans.
Williamson was considered a model project player, possessing natural talent with optimistic potential for development under head coach Willie Green. However, several critics have speculated a lack of commitment by the young recruit in skipping practices and disappearing during the offseason.
It has also been reported that when he has shown up, Zion has been out of shape. He weighs significantly more than other players in his height class, reminiscent of Charles Barkley, whose size triggered mobility issues. Williamson’s build continues to cause concern around additional strain on his legs and knees.
Though he averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game last season, Zion only played in 30 of 82 regular season games in the 2024/25 season. This record is even less than his career average due to injuries, such as a left hamstring strain in November of 2024 that caused him to miss 27 consecutive games.
Now, with pending allegations surrounding a civil suit filed in California this May by an unnamed plaintiff, and the Pelicans' decision to award him a $40 million annual salary, Williamson’s trade value has tanked. The suit alleges multiple counts of sexual assault and various other injuries inflicted, seeking millions of dollars in punitive damages.
Worthy of note, Zion denies all claims.
Any team willing to take on the risk of an unpredictable outcome of the case will still be strapped with a substantial financial commitment to a relatively unreliable player, on top of his widely questioned commitment to his NBA career.
Another season of injury and missed games could push the Pelicans toward a 2026/27 season trade.
Zion owes it to the city of New Orleans and the Pelicans organization to practice true physical and mental commitment. The franchise locked him into a nearly $200 million contract that doesn’t expire until the 2027/28 season.
With the lawsuit and his overall health and fitness regimen sparking controversy, New Orleans is forced to confront the realization that building a team around a player like Zion may have been the wrong call.