When Zion Williamson was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, he arrived in the NBA with an incredible amount of well-deserved fanfare. His brief college career was stacked with accolades, awards, and endless highlight reel fodder.
There's a reason he was drafted in the number one spot that year. As such, the Pelicans had high hopes for him. It goes without saying that those hopes have not panned out.
Calling Zion a bust might be the greatest understatement in the history of basketball. His conditioning issues combined with endless injuries and rampant personal problems have rendered him all but useless to an NBA franchise that saw him as the proverbial golden goose.
There have been flashes of brilliance from Williamson over the years. When he's not injured, keeps focused on the game, and is down a few pounds, he can still put on a show for the fans. Unfortunately, those flashes seem to be getting fewer and further between. For the Pelicans' front office, the worst may be yet to come, as this situation is not going to get better any time soon.
Zion Williamson's decline is devastating for the Pelicans
The most recent reports indicate that the Pelicans are happy with Zion's current conditioning and the direction he's headed. Still, they've been here before. Zion can get in playing shape but struggles to stay in playing shape. Hitting the court with extra weight is a major problem, as it contributes to heightened fatigue and injury risk, both issues Zion has been contending with.
On top of that, Williamson's personal problems continue to take front and center. In May 2025, a woman identified as Jane Doe accused Zion of rampant abuse that took a variety of forms across their long-term relationship. This included two alleged instances of assault. Keep in mind this is still an ongoing case, one that could destroy Williamson's career if the allegations are proven to be true.
The reality is that conditioning, injuries, and personal problems have plagued Zion's career since he was drafted. Despite those aforementioned flashes of brilliance, he hasn't given the Pelicans any substantial reason to be hopeful that he will ever come close to living up to his potential. That being said, they might not have any choice other than trying to make it work.
Trading Zion Williamson must be on the table for the Pelicans
As it stands, Zion is in the middle of a five-year contract with the Pelicans that will keep him on the roster through the 2027-28 season. That contract will be worth an estimated $197 million upon its completion, assuming Zion meets all of the injury and playing time requirements in it. As of summer 2028, Williamson will be an unrestricted free agent.
If the Pelicans want out of the Zion Williamson business now, and some reports indicate someone might want out, the franchise is going to have to trade him. The only problem is which general manager in their right mind would want to bring Zion in given all of his ongoing issues?
The Sixers could add him to their Joel Embiid and Paul George roster to create the most expensive bench of all time. Unless Zion's fortunes take a drastic turn in the near future, he's not going anywhere. For another team to take a chance on him.
Williamson has to get in shape, stay in shape, play consistently, and somehow get his personal life under control. If he doesn't, the Pelicans might ride out his contract until free agency hits in 2028 and part ways with him, likely ending Zion's NBA career with a whimper.