Zion Williamson is in year six with the New Orleans Pelicans, and the only expectation is that his body will always betray him.
It’s happening again. The latest injury for Williamson — who has played in only six games this season — is a left hamstring strain. He last played in a game on Nov. 6. His status for Monday’s game at Atlanta (10-11) is unknown, another blow for the struggling Pelicans, who are last in the Western Conference (4-17).
This isn’t just one random injury. Health and conditioning have been a constant concern since he was drafted first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Williamson has played in 190 regular-season games and missed 200 and counting. That’s not ideal for a player who was considered a franchise talent.
When healthy, Williamson is one of the most exciting players to watch. He’s a two-time All-Star who has career averages of 24.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists. His talent is not in question.
Being a franchise player who can lead at a championship level requires more, though. So far, Williamson hasn’t shown it. Health and conditioning aside, a fair question is: How has his game evolved?
Williamson was bigger, faster and could jump higher than most in high school and college. While he’s still able to show off his physical gifts, it can ring hollow at times.
Williamson won’t be confused for a sharpshooter or an elite creator. His handle is serviceable but not elite. Williamson’s athletic gifts are elite, but what elite basketball skill has he added to his game?
Perhaps this is the biggest question when it comes to projecting Williamson as a franchise player for the Pelicans or any other team. Williamson is a 6-foot-6, 284-pounder in a league where elite skills are required.
Williamson’s value may be plummeting around the league because of his lack of durability. One NBA executive recently told USA Today’s HoopsHype that he’d only consider trading one first-round pick for Williamson.
On a recent “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast, ESPN’s Tim McMahon suggested the team should cut Williamson, a highly unlikely move.
“Scenario A, the preferable scenario, is trade him and get value for him,” MacMahon said. “I think that’s going to be extremely difficult to do given his injury history, given the fact that he looked far less explosive than he had been in the past in the little bit that he played this year.”
Elite athleticism has a short shelf life. At 4-17, the Pelicans and their fans may have to start thinking of life after Zion.
