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New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson can’t save disastrous season

By Jack Simone

MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on from the bench during a timeout against the Miami Heat during the second half at FTX Arena on November 17, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on from the bench during a timeout against the Miami Heat during the second half at FTX Arena on November 17, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans jokes with teammates during a timeout against the Miami Heat (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

The New Orleans Pelicans are an absolute enigma. They are currently 2-14 on the season, and there seems to be no end in sight for their misery.

It’s extremely weird to see a team with this much talent performing this poorly. Looking up and down the roster, they have enough talent to be a decent NBA team, in theory.

Jonas Valanciunas is playing at an All-Star level and Brandon Ingram is a former All-Star who’s playing well. Past that, they have guys such as Josh Hart, Devonte’ Graham, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

That squad together should have won more than two games by now, but they haven’t. Instead, they’re staring a one-way ticket to the lottery right in the face.

The New Orleans Pelicans are in the middle of an absolute disaster of a season

However, perhaps the most interesting storyline with the New Orleans Pelicans is happening off the court. Superstar Zion Williamson has still yet to return after breaking his foot this summer.

Recent reports say that he has been cleared for one-on-one drills, but his absence has clearly been killing the Pelicans. It makes sense that the team wants to err on the side of caution, but this is getting crazy.

With the Pelicans spiraling, they need some sort of guidance from their star player. That being said, how much will getting Williamson back help?

If this team without him is only 2-14, it’s tough to imagine that adding Williamson to the mix will immediately catapult them into the playoff mix. That just doesn’t seem like a realistic occurrence.

At that point, should the organization look at switching things up? Do they need to re-create the team around Williamson and try to shake it up a bit?

After the comments, Williamson’s family made this past offseason, that might be the case. Losing another superstar to a trade request would be a disaster scenario for New Orleans.

Williamson might be hurt, but the way his team has performed without him has likely not made him feel much better about being in the city. Will the New Orleans Pelicans have another Anthony Davis situation on their hands with Williamson?

Hopefully, it doesn’t get to that point. However, with the way things are trending right now, it is certainly heading in that direction.

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