As William Guillory of The Athletic observes, it’s no coincidence that Zion Williamson – typically not very active on social media – posted a video of him throwing down a between-the-legs windmill dunk just days after Shams Charania reported that he likely won’t return this season. It also doesn’t seem like a coincidence that the Pelicans cleared him for increased activity shortly after that video was posted, Guillory writes.
There’s “an air of silent cold war brewing” between the Pelicans and Williamson, according to Scott Kushner of NOLA.com, who writes that the star forward clearly wants to play this season, while the team – wary of risking his long-term health – is reluctant to let him.
It’s a difficult spot for the Pelicans, who reportedly frustrated Williamson during his rookie year by playing it safe with his knee injury and holding him out longer than he felt was necessary. The two sides are about to enter a crucial offseason, with the former No. 1 overall pick eligible for a rookie scale extension.
Before that offseason begins, Williamson, his camp, and the Pelicans’ top decision-makers need to come together to agree on a decision about his status for this season, Guillory opines. If all the involved parties can get on the same page on that issue, it should create a more comfortable starting point when they approach extension talks in the summer.
Here’s more on the Pelicans:
- Christian Clark of NOLA.com examines some of the similarities and differences between Williamson’s lengthy injury rehab process this season and Kawhi Leonard‘s injury recovery process during his final year in San Antonio.
- Within his weekly “10 Things” column for ESPN, Zach Lowe highlights the impact that Jose Alvarado has had in New Orleans and says he’d be shocked if the team doesn’t convert Alvarado’s two-way contract to a standard deal soon. Doing so would ensure that the rookie guard is eligible for the play-in tournament and playoffs.
- William Guillory and John Hollinger of The Athletic discuss several topics related to the Pelicans’ future, weighing the possibility of a Williamson extension, considering whether or not Alvarado’s emergence changes the backcourt plans going forward, and evaluating the team’s chances of earning a playoff spot next month.
- Following up on last month’s revelation that good friends Larry Nance Jr. and Josh Hart temporarily swapped houses when they were traded for one another, Andrew Lopez of ESPN takes an entertaining, in-depth look at what that arrangement has looked like.
With CJ and their current spot in the play-in game, wouldn’t it be a good idea to ease Zion into action? CJ, plus Ingram and some minutes from Zion and they might win the play-in. They’d get demolished in the first round, but it would be playoff experience nonetheless. Pelicans need to give the fans something to care about and look forward to.
no to false hope. go with reality.
Agree those fans DO deserve SOMETHING today
But it feels like there’s something bigger going on under the hood then just some bad spark plugs here
Imo small chance this gets resolved with him staying in NO
You can only Imagine it would be this circus every single year under contract.
Put the Pr team on it in the summer, pump the price, make your trading partner (ATL) pay thru the nose and just run with it …
They’d be deep next year on the roster, fluid on the ledger, and cupboard fully stocked with future picks…..and NO headaches looming
Huerter, (Collins or Capela), Skylar Mays, Atl’s 2023 1st top5 protected, Atl’s 2025 1st top10 protected for Zion & filler… done deal
Yes thats a good base to start with for ATL & NO , especially w Collins
Id think NO might want to get a REAL Pg…maybe get a 3rd team in for that…….They have to throw more salary in cuz Zion only hit’s the tab at $13.5 ….So Graham (bleh) goes out the door as well as salary ….. but they need a Pg back now
I don’t have a ready made Pg not tied down that comes to mind…Maybe you can think of a 3rd team to engage here to really getting NO out the gates ….
While I agree with the know your body thing generally, micro fractures are a little different. It’s not something you can play through
Man it beggars believe how useless the NOP are… if Zion feels ok to play, you play him… no doctor in the world can know better his body than himself… but at the end of the day as a franchise you do, you say & you breath whatever Zion tells you to do, I can’t believe how idiotic can they be trying to fight against whatever he wants!
Just hopping Zion can go to a team that can appreciate & value him!
Spoken like a man who truly understands nothing about the word “investment”
CJ and Ingram run this team and they have got them on the brink of the playoffs. Zion hasn’t contributed at all and in his season he did play he and Ingram didn’t make the playoffs.
Think what you want but like I said a thousand times Zion and Ingram aren’t a good fit together and will never achieve anything together. They traded for CJ and already him and Ingram have done more than Zion and Ingram.
The problem with NO is Zion. Don’t hold out hopes he can make them better or whatever he’s not your guy. You need to trade him.
1. Zion Williamson and Nance for Randle, Walker, IQ, 2 first round picks and 2 seconds.
2. Zion Williamson and Nance for Jonathan Isaacs, Terrance Ross, Jalen Suggs and 2 firsts.
These would be the packages I’d be going after if I’m the Pelicans.
1. You then line up Graham CJ Ingram Randle Big V and off the bench Kemba IQ Temple Jones Hayes plus you still have Kira Lewis, Trey Murphy, Alvarado and Hernagomez. Randle gives you 80% of what Zion does, plus you get the picks.
Second deal, strange one but Orlando. Isaacs I think would be a nice fit with CJ and Ingram. Ross off the bench for impact and Suggs I still think has a really bright future on the right team. Playing with CJ and Ingram would probably get the best out of him.
I’m not sure what the waiting game is.
But ZW looks in decent shape on the very short dunk tape.
Most of these trades suggested are silly, if Griffin knows ZW is just strengthening and is good to go. A trade that assumes ZW is flawed would not be made if Griffin knows he is not flawed.
Pels are a better team to join now. Pels faltered with Ingram out but has won 4 of last 6. He’s a better passer now.