Zion Williamson was supposed to be the league’s next superstar. Instead, he’s become the NBA‘s biggest “what if?”
When Zion Williamson arrived in the NBA in 2019, the hype was seismic. He was supposed to be the next LeBron James – the league’s future face, a once-in-a-generation athlete built to dominate the sport for the next decade. The New Orleans Pelicans had their savior, the NBA had its next global icon, and fans had a new force to marvel at.
Six years later, Williamson is 25 years old with zero playoff appearances, more missed games than played ones, and a career defined far more by frustration than fulfillment. And on Saturday, the Pelicans made another franchise-shaking move, firing head coach Willie Green after a 2-10 start and replacing him with interim coach James Borrego. The organization openly hopes the change can spark something – anything – in the star they once believed would carry them into contention.
Right now, Zion Williamson isn’t the next LeBron
He’s the league’s biggest disappointment. A career that never took flight. Williamson‘s numbers on paper are impressive: 24.7 points per game, elite efficiency, and a highlight reel filled with dunks that defy physics. But those flashes have been swallowed by a harsh reality:
He’s missed 268 games and played only 214. That’s not just bad luck – that’s an entire career stuck in limbo. Every time he looks ready to break out, another injury stops him cold. Hamstrings, feet, back issues – the setbacks keep piling up.
The Pelicans have reached the playoffs twice since drafting him No. 1 overall, and both times he watched from the bench. New Orleans lost in the first round each time. The franchise was built around him. The roster, the identity, the timeline – everything revolved around Zion. And yet, the Pelicans have never even seen him take one postseason dribble.
A reset at the top – and a challenge for Zion
This offseason brought a turning point: the hiring of Joe Dumars as Executive VP of Basketball Operations and Troy Weaver as GM. Immediately, the question surfaced – Are they building around Zion… or preparing to move on? Williamson says he felt that uncertainty too.
So he sat down with Dumars and Weaver for some brutally honest conversations. “They embraced me and I told them, ‘I’m not going to let y’all down,'” Williamson said. “I know he’s going to hold me to a really high standard.”
Dumars – a former Finals MVP, two-time champion, and architect of the 2004 Pistons title – has already begun shaping him. They’ve talked about accountability, leadership, consistency. Dumars wants Zion to be the first player to speak after tough losses. He wants professionalism. He wants reliability. And for the first time in a long time, Williamson seems ready to accept the challenge.
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