The New Orleans Pelicans have a Zion Williamson problem.
To be fair, the New Orleans Pelicans might also just have a New Orleans Pelicans problem.
The team has been remarkably unpopular for years, struggling to carve out its own consistent niche, and their attendance consistently ranks among the lowest in the league, notes Spotrac’s Keith Smith. New Orleans failed to build a true contender around its prior No. 1 overall draft pick, future Hall of Famer Anthony Davis, and he eventually forced a trade out of town.
Williamson, Davis’ supposed heir apparent as New Orleans’ next franchise anchor and superstar (the No. 1 pick out of Duke in 2019), has been even more confoundingly injury-prone than Davis ever was with the Pelicans, albeit while showing flashes of the kind of fascinating “SportsCenter Top 10”-style plays that could in theory endear him to the New Orleans faithful and create a groundswell of long-term fan support.
Invariably, the oft-hurt Williamson is once again hurt, not even 10 games into the regular season. He has a Grade 1 hamstring strain and will be out for at least one-to-two weeks.
New team president Joe Dumars instantly face-planted during the offseason, making a flurry of bizarre trades - none more strange than his commitment to offloading his unprotected first-round pick in what’s supposed to be a loaded 2026 NBA Draft to the Atlanta Hawks, in exchange for No. 13 selection Derik Queen.
In five games this year, Williamson is averaging 22.8 points, 6.8 boards and 4.6 assists for the 1-6 Pelicans.
Smith, for one, advocates for a divorce. He notes that Williamson’s infrequent availability has killed any potential momentum his era could have created. The seventh-year, two-time All-Star is still just 25, but a litany of injuries have sapped him of some of the otherworldly athleticism he possessed when he entered the league.
Williamson is under contract through the 2027-28 season, and his price tag and lingering health risks could make him difficult to offload in a trade. Smith is rooting for a possible waive of Williamson’s remaining contract this coming offseason, should a trade partner not be found by then.
One-time All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray, All-Defensive wing Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy, pricey guard Jordan Poole, second-year big Yves Missi, Queen and his fellow rookie Jeremiah Fears could serve as the club’s core for the immediate future. With Murray likely out for most or all of the season recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture, this core won’t have enough firepower to win much for a bit. But eventually, the Pelicans will get more lottery luck if they continue to struggle.
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