What a tumultuous season that has befallen the New Orleans Pelicans. On paper—talent, and skill-wise—they are a playoff team, as they were last season. This season, however, has gone straight to hell. On top of that, Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson has become a head case. What are the chances that Zion has mentally checked out of New Orleans and is simply waiting for the window to open and climb out? Shouldn’t this motivate the Pelicans to trade him if that’s the case?
Pelicans Superstar Might Have Already Left New Orleans
Pelicans Superstar Zion Williamson Appears to Be Playing on Fumes
Many within NBA circles, around the league, and the daily media personalities believe Zion’s time in The Big Easy is expiring. Many of the same people think that the Pelicans should cut bait with the former Duke phenom and start anew. Within the last few weeks, sources have reported that New Orleans is open to trading some players, including Zion. Whether that develops into an actual trade in the coming weeks will keep many of us on the edge.
Zion carries a wealth of talent, skill, size, power, and a rare type of explosiveness in the NBA. If New Orleans does make every effort to trade him, teams will undoubtedly be willing to take the risk of adding him to their roster. For now, he remains a Pelican. However, there are murmurings that Zion is hoping for an exit and wants out of New Orleans. If you ask ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, this is precisely what he believes to be the case.
“Zion doesn’t want to be in New Orleans, he doesn’t want to be there. He wants to be in a major market like LA, New York, or whatever, because he wants the marketability.” Smith continued while discussing the subject with Shannon Sharpe on First Take, “You look at Zion Williamson right now, it’s becoming a joke. You know that this brother has got superstar written all over him as a talent, but he doesn’t appear to care enough about being a professional and he certainly, I don’t believe, wants to be in New Orleans. I think he wants out, I think that’s what this is all about and I think he’d rather be someplace else. But why should anybody want him if this is what you’re going to get?”
The End is Near, and it’s Apparent
Suppose the Pelicans cannot move Zion before the trade deadline, just a few weeks away. The chances he opens the 2025-26 NBA season in New Orleans seem slim at best. A breakup is the best path forward for Zion and the Pelicans. If the injury-plagued seasons of the past aren’t enough to lean the organization in that direction, the current season’s events must. Regardless, the Pelicans roster will look much different with or without Zion in the future. The futures of Dejounte Murray, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum appear blurry also.
The Pelicans need a rebirth without Zion. New Orleans’ head coach, Willie Green, also needs a new start with a revamped roster. Green is an excellent coach. His roster’s failures over the years should not be held against him. Especially this season, he has had nothing to work with. As for Zion, if Stephen A’s assessment holds any truth, we are possibly watching Zion’s final days as a Pelican. Good for them, good for him.
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