It’s possible Pelicans forward Zion Williamson will require a second surgical procedure on the injured right foot that has kept him sidelined for the entire 2021/22 season, but nothing has been decided yet, sources tell Christian Clark of NOLA.com.
Another surgery would be a discouraging setback for Williamson and the Pelicans, effectively eliminating Zion’s chances of returning this season. But it sounds for now like New Orleans still hopes to avoid that scenario.
The former No. 1 overall pick, who received an injection in his foot in December to promote healing, is expected to get more medical imaging done before the end of the month to assess where he’s at.
Here’s more on the Pelicans:
- Within the same NOLA.com story, Clark cites sources who say the Pelicans made multiple trade offers to the Grizzlies in advance of the 2019 draft in an effort to move up from No. 4 to No. 2. If those efforts had been successful, New Orleans would’ve controlled the draft’s top two picks and Williamson with Ja Morant. However, Memphis resisted and the Pelicans eventually traded down from the No. 4 spot.
- Head coach Willie Green is still working on figuring out the best lineup combinations to use with New Orleans’ new star duo of CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, Clark writes in a separate article for NOLA.com. McCollum has been the Pelicans’ leading scorer in all three of his games so far, but the club is just 1-2 in those contests.
- The Pelicans’ lease agreement with the Smoothie King Center expires in 2024, but they can exercise an option to extend that deal through 2029, and team president Dennis Lauscha says the franchise has no plans to go anywhere. “It’s not like we’re leaving,” Lauscha said, per Clark at NOLA.com. “I have every anticipation that for any reason if we’re getting close to that, we’ll pull the trigger on an extension so we can figure out a long-term plan. I don’t want anyone to think we’re using that as any type of leverage over the state of Louisiana.”
prodigal big man and foot problems
name a more iconic pair
He’s officially reached Greg Oden territory.
Up next he’ll level up to Sam Bowie.
What do the Pelicans do they have to extend this guy pretty soon.
Didn’t JoJo have an injury clause? Like you have to Max this guy to keep him in New Orleans. But if he is Andrew Bynam from here on… like they’ll be sending OKC a bunch of 1sts to take his salary.
Wonder if they play on NYK desperation for a star. Toppin, Quickley, some 1sts. Huge risk.
I think that’s exactly what they do. I’d suspect Randle would have to be included in the deal in order to create cap room. Barrett and Reddish are up as well.
Zion looks BUILT rn. Not sure if anyones seen the picture of him floating around but my lord is he gonna be scary. Years a wash regardless for the Pels so might as well let him fully recover without taking the risk
I don’t feel the pelicans are out of it if Zion comes back.
lol I wonder what all the people hyping him in the comments will say now.
the guy was obese since his duke days and the dumb pelicans picked him cause of his hype
similar to what the suns and the kings did when they picked ayton and bagley over doncic…
Did you ever watch Zion in the NBA? Was a little more than just hype, guy. Try to keep up.
To be fair, he’s missed more games in his career than games played. I agree he was more than just hype, but let’s not make it seem like he dropped prime Shaq numbers when he played. Next year will be a HUGE year for a guy who needs to shed the injury bug off his label.
Zion has slightly better offensive numbers than shaq they’re first two years. Both unbelievable. Zion shots 60 pct with 27 pts shaq 58 pct with 29 pts. Very similar. Zion is a great basketball player. His problem is injuries. Zion and shaq are the two best down low scorers ever. Due to incredible bulk and athleticism.
I like ZW as an overall player with quick hands & feet not just a beast charging (fouling) like Shaq.
Though the “beast” style does have its fans.
If Ohio’s Maurice Clarrett or Keith Byars were not “beastified” by acclaim, they may have lasted longer at RB in football!
He’s not a great basketball player. With his height he could have played PG if he had the basketball IQ that makes someone great (he’s shorter than Doncic btw but +40 kilos)
He can’t shot and his weight limits him to being an undersized overweight inside scorer. That’s it.
I remember seeing him in a duke game 4 years ago and I pitied the Pelicans for picking him, he looked like he has eaten one of the smaller guys.
Have you watched him? Not many chances to do since he’s mostly not playing…
Dude’s obese and it’s naive to think he will stop eating and become Tom Brady 2.0 in New york
I mean Ayton is a big contributor to the best record in the league and will be a big reason why they get a championship (if they do). Yes Luka is a lot better but Ayton was a respectable pick. Bagley on the other hand…
Still both Bagley and ayton were hyped playing in the US and people here were saying Doncic will fail for sure. Imho Doncic is top 10 in the league
I should have looked harder for tapes of Doncic, instead of saying, IDK, I can’t watch him go.
Ayton was a contributor to the worst record before Chris Paul. Doncic probably the nexr Chris Paul. I think it’s not even close between them.
Demian you are so far out of loop brother
Lol great argument, didn’t know I need to be in a loop to know what’s fat and what’s not
Williamson has been overweight for virtually all of his pro career, which has complicated the recovery process. He must lose weight in order to decrease the amount of force he puts on his right foot when he runs, cuts and jumps. But it’s difficult for Williamson to lose weight without running, cutting and jumping.
link to cbssports.com
—————————……….
It’s not like they didn’t know this when they drafted him. Is it really hard just to change your diet. Eat fish and veggies lol. This is going in a bad place. Barkley was fatter than Zion. He got down to 245 LBs and took over NBA. Come on Zion grow up …..
See we agree on that for a change