Report: Pelicans Don't Expect Zion Williamson to Return Before the Season Ends

New Orleans does not expect Zion Williamson to return before the end of the season.

Chris Dodson | Mar 21, 2022

Report: Pelicans Don't Expect Zion Williamson to Return Before the Season Ends /

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New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans does not expect Zion Williamson to return before the end of the season, according to The Athletic's Sham Sharania.

The move leaves the team shorthanded for the playoffs' stretch run and in an even tougher spot this offseason when negotiating a contract extension.

The New Orleans Pelicans have kept fighting after a 1-12 start and are currently sitting in 9th place with a 30-41 record. They've won only five games without Brandon Ingram but have fought back into the NBA Playoff picture without Zion Williamson playing a single minute. It will be difficult for the Pelicans to evaluate their entire roster and negotiate injury clauses in Williamson's next contract.

Williamson has only played 85 games in his three seasons. He declared that he fully expected to lead the team on the court this season at media day. Even though a healthy Williamson would help the team even in limited minutes, there does not seem to be enough time to ramp him up to full-court scrimmages with only 11 regular-season games remaining.

Nov 24, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) talks to the ball boys on a time out against Washington Wizards during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

He was rehabbing away from the team in Oregon for most of the year. There are have been no mentions of a setback or plans for another surgery from the team or in Sham Charania’s report. Williamson is still making progress towards a return with his on-court work. He has been seen doing stationary shooting drills with the assistant coaches in the past week but there has been no work with dynamic movements against defenders.

Williamson has not played in an NBA game since May 4, 2021. It's justifiable to let the guys that got this far together play out the season. There is no need to rush Williamson back into the fold so late. It would bring unnecessary distractions and national media skeptics at the worst time. It would also risk another injury and the media fallout that would follow.

Williamson does not need to return to action in a high-pressure playoff situation. It would be a disservice to him and the team. New Orleans has found some depth and given the rest of the young squad freedom to find their way around CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram's leadership.

Now the only worries are about getting Williamson right for next year. Then the team can focus on having the first proper offseason since Williamson was drafted.

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Published Mar 21, 2022

CHRIS DODSON