NBA: Ranking 30 best power forwards for 2019-20

There are questions about his durability after he was held out of the majority of the NBA Summer League with a bruised left knee. There are questions about his potential longevity as he brings 285 pounds on his 6-foot-7 frame after sweeping collegiate player of the year honors during his lone season at Duke.

But the New Orleans Pelicans did not blink on draft night, taking advantage of a surprising win in the NBA Draft Lottery to take Zion Williamson with the No. 1 overall pick.

Yes, there are questions about Williamson, but he compares favorably to the next generation of Charles Barkley, who survived for 16 seasons as a 6-foot-4 (listed at 6-foot-6, but yeah, OK) power forward who carried somewhere in the neighborhood of 250-275 pounds at various points in his career.

Last season at Duke, Williamson averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.7 blocks in 30.0 minutes per game, shooting 68.0 percent overall and 33.8 percent on 2.2 3-point attempts per game.

His consistency from long range will need to improve as a pro, to be sure. as will his free throw shooting (just 64.0 percent on 6.2 attempts per game last season at Duke).

And in the nine minutes Williamson played in Las Vegas, he dazzled. Zion put up 11 points, three rebounds and a steal in that span.

Williamson is embracing his new role as the face of the franchise in NOLA and, while he will have the usual rookie ups and downs, the Pelicans are betting that he will be in that role for a long time to come.