Pelicans Officially End Zion Williamson Era: Team Makes Major Decision on Future of Former No. 1 Pick Amid Roster Shake-Up
Lock in for a moment, because what’s happening with Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans might be the wildest story shaking up the NBA right now. Once heralded as the league’s next generational superstar, Zion now finds himself at the center of a franchise meltdown, with insiders reporting that the Pelicans are ready to accept “the first decent and reasonable offer” for their former number one pick. Let that sink in: the most electrifying prospect since LeBron James, a two-time All-Star, is suddenly available to anyone who makes a passable offer.
How did we get here? How did the Pelicans go from betting their future on Zion to being ready to move on? Let’s dive deep into the dramatic twists, the front office missteps, the injury woes, and the trade scenarios that could redefine the NBA landscape.
Zion’s Journey: From Phenomenon to Frustration
The Arrival
Zion Williamson entered the NBA as the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, a once-in-a-generation athlete with jaw-dropping explosiveness and charisma. From his days at Duke, Zion was billed as the league’s next box-office star—a player built like a cheat code, capable of highlight-reel dunks and game-changing performances. The Pelicans, a small-market team searching for relevance, hit the jackpot.
Zion’s early years were filled with hope. He became a two-time All-Star, averaged over 20 points per game, and gave New Orleans a taste of national attention. But beneath the surface, trouble was brewing.
The Injury Plague
Since his rookie season, Zion’s career has been haunted by injuries. According to NBA.com, he’s played in only 45% of possible games since being drafted. That’s not just injury-prone—that’s part-time availability for a player expected to be a franchise cornerstone. He’s missed more games than he’s played, and every season has felt like a repeat of the last: bursts of brilliance, followed by long stretches on the sideline.
The numbers are staggering. Zion has played fewer total minutes than Paolo Banchero, who was drafted three years later. He’s never appeared in a playoff game, and his absence has derailed the Pelicans’ hopes time and time again.
The 2023-24 Season: A False Dawn
This season was supposed to be different. Zion arrived at media day looking transformed—slimmer, fitter, and more focused than ever. Teammates and coaches raved about his conditioning and mindset. The preseason hype was real; Zion shot 82% in his final exhibition game, looked mobile, aggressive, and ready to lead.
For the first ten games, it seemed like the comeback was on. Zion averaged 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4 assists, and the Pelicans looked competitive. But then, as if on cue, the nightmare returned. First a bruised foot, then a hamstring strain, and finally a grade 2 right adductor injury that sidelined him indefinitely. The team announced he wouldn’t be re-evaluated for three weeks, with insiders predicting a return no earlier than late December—maybe even 2026.
The pattern was undeniable: dominant when healthy, but almost never available.
The Front Office Meltdown
Coaching Carousel
The Pelicans’ instability hasn’t been limited to the roster. On November 15th, after a brutal 2-10 start, the team fired head coach Willie Green. Green had gone 150-190 over four-plus seasons, but his main star was missing for 61% of those games. Zion played just 134 out of 340 games during Green’s tenure. How could any coach build a contender under those conditions?
James Borrego stepped in as interim coach, but he inherited a disaster rather than a team. The Pelicans have lost 13 of their last 14 games, own the worst record in the Western Conference, and are battling the Washington Wizards for the league’s basement.
Asset Mismanagement
The chaos in the front office has only made things worse. Last offseason, the Pelicans made a series of questionable moves that may haunt them for years.
First, they traded a top-four protected Pacers pick—acquired in the Brandon Ingram deal—back to Indiana just before Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury. With the Pacers now among the league’s worst teams, that pick could have been a top-five selection in the stacked 2026 draft class.
But the real shocker came with the team’s obsession over Maryland prospect Derik Queen. The Pelicans packaged the 23rd pick and their own unprotected 2026 first-rounder to Atlanta just to move up and grab Queen at #13. Giving up an unprotected first is a move reserved for teams on the brink of contention, not franchises with a star who’s barely available. Executives around the league were stunned by the deal, calling it one of the most lopsided trades in recent memory.
The Pelicans could have had two lottery picks in 2026, but instead, they gambled away their best exit strategy from the Zion era. Now, they’re 3-19, with no first-round pick next year, and their future looks bleak.
The Injury Domino Effect
It’s not just Zion. The entire roster has been ravaged. Dejounte Murray, acquired at the cost of Dyson Daniels and two first-round picks, tore his Achilles in January and hasn’t played a minute this season. Jordan Poole has missed time, and injuries have shredded any hope of stability.
To make matters worse, Daniels—traded to Atlanta—won Most Improved Player and made an All-Defensive team. The Pelicans didn’t just lose a trade; they handed Atlanta the beginning of a dynasty.
Zion’s Contract: Flexibility and Risk
Zion’s contract situation is as wild as his career arc. In 2022, he signed a five-year, $197 million extension. But after missing more than 22 games last season, the final three years became non-guaranteed. In theory, the Pelicans could waive him this summer and owe him nothing. While that’s unlikely, it gives any team trading for Zion significant flexibility.
Currently, Zion makes $39 million a year, with $42 million due in 2026-27 and $44 million in 2027-28. The non-guaranteed structure makes him more tradable than most realize. But who’s willing to gamble on a player who has missed more than half his career games, never played in the postseason, and carries defensive and shooting limitations?
The Trade Market: Who Could Land Zion?
Despite the risks, Zion remains one of the most tantalizing talents in the NBA. When healthy, he’s a top-20 player, averaging 24.6 points per game on ridiculous efficiency, and a two-time All-Star. But his availability issues are a huge red flag.
Let’s break down the teams that could realistically make a move:
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have already been linked to Zion and Pelicans role players like Herb Jones and Trey Murphy. New Orleans is reportedly interested in Jonathan Kuminga, who’s signed to a two-year, $46.8 million deal. Golden State also has first-round picks in 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2031—potentially valuable assets as the Steph Curry-Draymond Green era winds down.
A package built around Kuminga, salary fillers, and multiple firsts could get a deal done. At 25, Zion could walk into Golden State as their second-best offensive player and the bridge to life after Steph. The risk is huge, but the Warriors have never been afraid to go big. Their medical staff might believe they can help Zion reboot his body, just as they did with Steph Curry early in his career.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings, desperate for star power and sitting at 5-16, have been stockpiling players without much strategy. Zion fits their chaotic energy perfectly. They could build salary-matching packages around players like Zach LaVine or Domantas Sabonis. Is it smart? Maybe not. But Sacramento is known for bold, unpredictable moves.
Charlotte Hornets
Zion has long been linked to the Hornets, and a pairing with LaMelo Ball would be pure entertainment—if both could stay healthy. Charlotte could assemble a package around expiring deals, young pieces, and picks, giving Zion a homecoming vibe as he grew up just across the border in South Carolina.
The Zion Dilemma: Talent vs. Availability
The bottom line with Zion isn’t talent—it’s availability. When he’s locked in and healthy, he’s unstoppable. His efficiency in the restricted area is elite, and he’s one of the best downhill forces in the league. But the injuries have hijacked what could have been a legendary career. He’s played just 224 regular-season games in six years, missing more games than he’s played.
In the NBA, the best ability is availability, and Zion just hasn’t had it.
The Pelicans’ Future: Where Do They Go From Here?
New Orleans faces a crossroads. The team is 3-19, with the worst record in the West and no first-round pick next season. The roster is falling apart, and the front office has made a series of miscalculations that have closed every escape route. Trading Zion may be the only way forward.
But what’s his real trade value? Teams are wary of giving away assets for a player with such a checkered injury history. The upside is massive, but the downside—$40 million a year for a player who might not suit up—is terrifying.
Conclusion: The NBA’s Wildest Gamble
The Zion Williamson saga is a cautionary tale for the modern NBA. It’s a story of hype, hope, and heartbreak—a reminder that even the most gifted athletes can be derailed by injuries and organizational mismanagement. For the Pelicans, the decision to move Zion could define the franchise for years to come. For Zion, a change of scenery might be the only chance to revive his career.
As the trade rumors swirl, fans and analysts are left to wonder: is this the end of Zion’s time in New Orleans? Can he ever fulfill his promise as a generational superstar, or will injuries and bad luck keep him from greatness?
