As the New Orleans Pelicans continue to slide in the standings, many are wondering about the future of Zion Williamson. Zion has only played six games this season, and it's questionable when he will return. If he can get back on the court sooner than later, then the Pelicans could theoretically make a playoff push, but both things seem farfetched.
More likely, Zion will be out until at least the beginning of 2025, and his team will continue to struggle, particularly with Brandon Ingram out indefinitely with an ankle injury. With Zion missing so many games, a surprising development has occurred. His contract for next season will no longer be guaranteed.
That means that if the Pelicans wanted to, then they could waive him and keep from having to pay him the remainder of his $197 million contract. While it was smart for them to only partially guarantee his contract, ESPN insider Shams Charania reports that they are unlikely to cut him.
The New Orleans Pelicans are smart not to give up on Zion Williamson... yet.
The Pelicans find themselves in a tough spot with their best player having missed well over half of his career games. Even so, he played 70 games last season, suggesting that he can stay healthy even though he hasn't always been able to. He is just 24 years old, but time is running out for him to live up to expectations, and it's worth it for them to see if he still can in New Orleans.
The situation isn't all bad; the Pelicans have the second-worst record in the NBA. If they finish in the bottom three, then they will have equal odds at the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Landing the top pick would allow them to land Cooper Flagg and give them a chance at rebuilding their franchise in the event that Zion can't stay healthy.
Of course, the dream scenario would be for the Pelicans to land Flagg and for Zion's health to turn around. Anything is possible, but that starts with Zion. Part of his injury problems seems to circle back to his health and conditioning. With him, his frame and explosiveness, playing above his ideal weight can lead to lower body problems.
His weight has fluctuated, and his injury problems have seemingly continued as a result. Zion turning things around at this point seems unlikely but not impossible, and the Pelicans can afford to give him another year to see how this situation plays out before making a drastic decision.