The New Orleans Pelicans might be the second most disappointing team this season outside of the Philadelphia 76ers. They are 4-18, the worst record in the Western Conference. Injuries have weakened them all season and they haven’t been able to gain any traction. This is not the same team that won 49 games last season and entered this year with high expectations. The most significant setback has been the absence of All-Star forward Zion Williamson, whose ongoing injury troubles continue to cast a shadow over the team’s future. Recently, a Zion injury update has some wondering if the Zion trade rumors could start building steam.
Pelicans Star Zion Williamson “Not Close” To Returning From Injury
Zion Injury Cripples Pelicans
Zion Williamson is out indefinitely with another hamstring injury. Zion has had hamstring issues his entire career, and it doesn’t seem like things are getting better. This season, Williamson has played only six games, where he averaged 22.7 points per game but shot a career-low 45% from the field.
“Zion Williamson has been out for about a month and he’s not close to coming back..
That hamstring has been a chronic issue for him”@ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/vIyHXCHrKZ
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 3, 2024
According to NBA insider Shams Charania on The Pat McAfee Show, Williamson “is not close to coming back”. His recovery remains a bit of a mystery. Charania did say that while Zion has started some on-court activities, there is no timeline for his official return. This Zion injury continues to put a cloud over the disappointing Pelicans season.
Last season Zion played a career high of 70 games. He got hurt right before the playoffs, killing the Pelicans’ chances at a postseason run. Although there was optimism following Zion’s big year, this season’s injury is a reminder of how hard it is to win with a star who can’t stay on the court.
The Zion Williamson Trade Rumors May Start Now
It is only natural for Zion Williamson trade rumors to start. Speculation has begun about whether the Pelicans might consider moving on from their star forward if his availability doesn’t improve. Williamson has played in fewer than 50% of the team’s games since being drafted first overall in 2019. It is unclear whether the franchise should cut ties with their former number-one overall pick.
Williamson’s five-year, $193 million contract extension, signed in 2022, was a sign of the Pelicans’ belief in his potential to be the face of the franchise. But with more Zion injury setbacks and trade rumors showing a potential out, the team faces tough decisions.
Zion Injury Puts Pelicans in a Tough Spot
The Pelicans’ struggles without Williamson show how key he is to their success. Despite other players like CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray beginning to return from injuries, the team lacks the cohesion and firepower needed to compete in a stacked Western Conference. Offensively, Zion’s absence leaves a huge hole, as he is the centerpiece of their attack. Defensively, his athleticism and presence in the paint are missed as well.
New Orleans has been solid with Zion missing time in the past. They’ve made the NBA Play-In Tournament for three consecutive seasons and advanced to the playoffs twice. However, with their terrible start this season, even reaching the Play-In feels like a tough task.
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