New Report on Zion Williamson's Expectations From Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans made it through the NBA trade deadline without dealing Zion Williamson, although co-star Brandon Ingram was a victim of the league's craziest deadline ever. With Ingram getting traded to the Toronto Raptors, Williamson becomes the undoubted superstar in New Orleans, but that comes with some heavier expectations.

Williamson has had serious health concerns throughout his young career and has already missed 36 games this season due to injury. The 24-year-old has proven to be one of the league's biggest stars when on the court, but staying on the court has been his true weakness.

Feb 5, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dunks the ball in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

ESPN's Marc J. Spears revealed the Pelicans' plan to keep Williamson in New Orleans but clarified that they had heightened expectations for their star forward if he is staying around long-term.

"[Williamson] needs to turn up that talent," Spears said. "He needs to have better commitment and to show up on a daily basis and be the star that he can become. The Pelicans feel like he is in great shape now. They're locked in. They want him to continue to work on his conditioning, but I think both sides need to work on their communication."

"Zion Williamson and C.J. McCollum, they're staying in the N.O.. They ain't going nowhere." 😤 @MarcJSpears with the latest on the future of the New Orleans Pelicans 👀 pic.twitter.com/2cNsosV0yt
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 6, 2025

Through 15 games this season, Williamson is averaging 23.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. The two-time All-Star has shown since high school how high his ceiling is, but just needs to stay healthy to prove it at this point.

With Williamson's health clearing up, expect him to continue to look more like his dominant self, especially now that he is in "great shape."

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