The New Orleans Pelicans are struggling with a rough 4-13 start to the season, and the team is dealing with an overwhelming list of injuries. Among the injured is Zion Williamson, who has been a major focus of concern. Williamson missed the season opener, then played in six of the next eight games before being sidelined again.
He hasn’t appeared in the lineup since November 6th, and a recent report from Shams Charania suggests that he won’t be returning anytime soon.
This leaves the Pelicans in a difficult position—how do they handle an injured star player who has been inconsistent in terms of availability? ESPN’s Tim MacMahon offered a surprising suggestion during the latest episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast, one that was bold enough to raise eyebrows across the NBA community.
“Scenario A, the preferable scenario, is trade him and get value for him,” MacMahon stated. “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. If you look at his rim-finishing numbers, they are mediocre. He’s a mediocre rim finisher. And also given the fact that he is a perennial first-team all-IAS guy. It’s Always Something. Always something with him. And very rarely is it having anything to do with basketball.”
MacMahon’s comments highlighted a sense of frustration that many in the Pelicans organization and fan base may feel about Zion’s career thus far. Despite his undeniable talent, Williamson’s inability to stay healthy and consistent has cast a shadow over his potential. MacMahon went on to mention that Williamson’s contract was structured in a way that would make cutting him feasible, if not exactly desirable.
At this point, Tim Bontemps, MacMahon’s colleague, interrupted to offer a more tempered perspective. He acknowledged MacMahon’s arguments but noted, “It’s a lot of discussion about something that’s not going to happen.”
Indeed, the notion of cutting Zion Williamson may sound drastic and is likely a far-fetched scenario given the way the NBA typically operates. Teams rarely, if ever, outright release players of Williamson’s caliber—especially someone who was once heralded as a generational talent and a cornerstone of the franchise.
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Zion Williamson’s career has been defined by flashes of brilliance overshadowed by constant injury issues. Last season, Williamson played a career-high 70 games, showing what he’s capable of when healthy. He was particularly impressive during the Pelicans’ first play-in game—until another injury sidelined him again.
In total, Zion has missed 206 games in his first five seasons, while appearing in just 184. Despite the significant investment the Pelicans have made in him, the team has largely been paying him to sit on the sidelines.
Cutting Williamson would undoubtedly be a bold move for the Pelicans, and it’s a decision that would come with immense risk and uncertainty.
However, given the frustration over his ongoing absence and the team’s inability to build a consistent contender around him, some may argue that it’s worth considering. The Pelicans are caught between hoping for Zion to finally stay healthy and deliver on his promise, and facing the harsh reality that his injuries may never allow him to reach his full potential.
The debate over Williamson’s future with the Pelicans underscores the complexity of managing a young star whose talent is clear but whose availability remains uncertain.
While it’s unlikely that New Orleans will outright release Zion, his situation raises important questions about the direction of the franchise and whether they can afford to continue relying on a player who has yet to prove he can stay on the court consistently.
For now, the Pelicans appear to be at a crossroads—balancing the hope that Zion can eventually lead them to success against the very real possibility that his best days may be few and far between.
Trading him, if they could find a suitable partner, may be a more likely scenario than cutting him, but either option comes with significant risks.
Ultimately, the Pelicans will have to decide whether Zion Williamson is worth the continued wait or if it’s time to move on and forge a different path.
