The Pelicans have shut down guard CJ McCollum and big man Zion Williamson for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, the team’s PR department tweets.
McCollum, who was diagnosed with a right foot bone contusion after sustaining the injury on March 23 at Detroit, will continue his rehabilitation program which includes rest and treatment.
Williamson, who suffered a low back bone contusion during a fall on March 19 at Minnesota, will continue his recovery plan which includes rest and treatment.
The injury-ravaged Pelicans are among the lottery-bound teams jockeying for the best odds to get the top pick. Shutting down two of their top players could move them closer to that goal. They currently have the league’s fourth-worst record at 21-54 — the bottom three teams each have a 14% shot at the No. 1 overall pick.
New Orleans has seven games remaining after losing 10 of its last 14 contests.
McCollum, 33, finishes the season with averages of 21.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 56 games. He has one season left on the two-year, $64MM extension he signed in 2022.
Williamson, 24, completes his 2024/25 campaign with averages of 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in just 30 games. He missed two months of action due to a hamstring strain. The former top pick has three years remaining on his five-year max extension.
What an absolute mess that franchise has become.
Blow up the entire team, even if you have to take back 10 cents on the dollar.
Pelicans’ FO and ownership is a disgrace. They’re sitting their stars to protect their value for off-season transactions. We all know that.
Pelicans FO and ownership have allowed losing to define them. They mistakenly think it doesn’t effect their internal culture and the way players around the league perceive them.
Pels and Zion are the perfect match. Neither care.
Zion Williamson. The Greatest Player who never Played. What a waste.
Doesn’t play defense or rebound. Even when healthy he was never going to achieve anything.
30 games is the 3rd most of his 6 year career. Full season IOW.
Said it on draft day. “A Bronx Tale”
Pistons should be talking to NO as soon as they can. About CJ. CJ and Cade is nice backcourt …..
CJ on that salary is a negative asset, old small guard with injury history and no D on a 30+ mil salary. Better develop Ivey
Any dude that gives you an efficient 20PPG night in and night out for 10 consecutive seasons on a $30 million on an expiring contract is a positive asset.
Time to blow it up. Is anybody left who believes you Could even get to the Playoffs with McCollum and Zion as your core.
Basic hope in shutting them down is Tanking and make somebody believe they Could be Healthy next year.
I’m getting a really positive vibe here…they are better than the Wizards!
If everyone was good at team building that would become the new average.