Zion Williamson Says He’s Following LeBron James’s ‘Blueprint’ This Offseason

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williams has taken notes on the approach of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, and now he’s replicating it.

The rumors and rumblings around Pelicans forward Zion Williamson have been at an all-time high this offseason, with many doubting his future in New Orleans. But as things currently stand, the 23-year-old forward will still be with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2019.

While Zion prepares for the upcoming season, a major point of criticism that's been directed at him relates to his inability to stay on the court and stay healthy, along with questions about staying in game shape. Williamson joined Gil's Arena and The Gilbert Arenas Show and was asked about whether cardio or diet has been his offseason focus.

“So the diet piece, I’m always able to come back each summer feeling good, looking good, but I would say it’s more of just locking in on flexibility, band-work. I think it’s those things that will be able to keep me on the court longer versus just losing a bunch of weight and coming to play and not being able to maintain it … I mean sh**, Bron got the blueprint, I’m going to try my best to follow it,” Williamson said.

Zion's answer may not be exactly what fans want to hear, but monitoring your offseason preparation around LeBron James, who's played at a higher level for longer than virtually any player in history, isn't a bad decision at all. It'll be interesting to see if this approach gives Williamson a chance to play more games in 2023-24 after missing all of the 2021-22 season, and playing 24 games (2019-20), 61 (2020-21) and 29 (2022-23).