Countdown to Zion's Departure: Does 24-Year-Old Zion Williamson Still Have Value?

The clock is ticking on Zion Williamson’s tenure with the New Orleans Pelicans. After a turbulent six years, the once-promising star’s future with the team is in serious jeopardy. Following the conclusion of the regular season, the Pelicans front office underwent a significant shake-up. David Griffin, the executive vice president of basketball operations for the past six years, was let go, and Hall of Famer Joe Dumars took over the reins. Dumars, a Louisiana native, is no stranger to success in the NBA. As a player, he helped lead the Detroit Pistons to two championships in 1989 and 1990, earning a Finals MVP along the way. After retiring, Dumars served as the Pistons' president of basketball operations from 2000 to 2014, leading the team to several successful seasons, including six consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and a 2004 NBA championship.

Despite some missteps in Detroit—such as missing out on Carmelo Anthony in the 2003 draft and trading for Allen Iverson—Dumars was at the helm during the Pistons’ peak years. His successful track record in managing teams and his role as the NBA’s executive vice president of basketball operations made him a highly sought-after candidate to oversee the Pelicans’ rebuilding project. Dumars’ primary mission? Transforming the Pelicans into a championship contender. However, the first move on his agenda appears to be a drastic one: trading Zion Williamson.

Zion's journey in New Orleans began with an enormous amount of hype. As the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, Zion was heralded as the franchise’s future and was widely regarded as a potential face of the NBA. The hype surrounding him was palpable, with many expecting him to not only lead the Pelicans back to prominence but also challenge for league MVPs and become one of the most marketable stars in the league. Fast forward to today, and the situation has drastically changed.

In the six years since being drafted, Zion has played in just 214 games, averaging fewer than 36 games per season. The two playoff appearances in his career have yielded zero actual postseason games played. The story of Zion’s career thus far has been one of chronic injuries and a lack of consistency, both on the court and off it. His health problems have been a major source of frustration for the Pelicans’ management, with injuries occurring nearly every season. In the past four seasons alone, Zion has had more missed games than played games.

• In the 2021-2022 season, Zion was completely sidelined due to injury.

• In 2022-2023, he only managed to play 29 games.

• In the 2023-2024 season, he played a healthy 70 games, but injuries forced him to miss crucial games in the postseason push, leading to a major setback in his recovery.

• Finally, in the 2024-2025 season, Zion appeared in just 39 games after missing the first half of the season due to injury.

In six years, Zion has only played 214 regular season games and zero playoff games. This abysmal availability has led to mounting frustration within the Pelicans' front office. Adding to this disappointment is Zion’s struggle with discipline. Every time he has been sidelined due to injury, he has gained back significant weight, and off-court controversies have not helped his reputation either. These issues, combined with his ongoing injury woes, have led to the inevitable discussions surrounding his potential trade.

For the past two seasons, rumors about Zion’s departure have circulated. The reason he hasn't been traded yet? The one factor that has kept the Pelicans from pulling the trigger—Zion is still an incredible talent when healthy. This season, despite only playing 30 games, Zion averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 56.7% from the field. His athleticism, explosiveness, and finishing ability are second to none. Opponents know he's coming to the basket, yet they still can't stop him. His talent is undeniable, and when he's on the court, he remains one of the most dominant players in the NBA.

However, Zion’s issues extend beyond his injuries. His shooting still leaves much to be desired. He has struggled to develop a consistent jump shot, and his three-point shooting remains nonexistent. His free throw shooting, which was once a point of concern, has deteriorated further, with his free throw percentage dipping to just 65.6% this season. For a player who averages 8 free throw attempts per game, that number is far from acceptable, especially given the impact that poor free throw shooting can have in close games.

The truth is that Zion is only 24 years old, and if he can manage to stay healthy, the Pelicans would still likely consider him the centerpiece of their future. But the question has shifted from “What can Zion achieve?” to “Can Zion ever stay healthy for an entire season?” The Pelicans' management, led by owner Gayle Benson and Dumars, appears ready to make a change, and moving on from Zion may be the first step in their attempt to overhaul the roster and build a more reliable contender. The team’s impatience with Zion’s inability to remain on the court is palpable, and it's clear that Dumars and the Pelicans front office are looking to move the team in a new direction.

If Zion is indeed traded, the entire Pelicans roster could be in play. The team has valuable assets in addition to Zion that could fetch a high return. Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III are both talented forwards, and 33-year-old CJ McCollum still has enough left in the tank to contribute to a contending team. The most unfortunate part of the equation is that Dejounte Murray, who would have been a prime trade piece, is currently recovering from an Achilles tear, making him difficult to move in the short term.

The biggest question now is where Zion will end up. If Zion is made available on the trade market, several teams would likely come knocking. While Zion’s injury history is a major concern, his talent is undeniable, and teams will still be eager to take a chance on a player of his caliber. He could fit perfectly in a system where he doesn’t have to be the primary option but can instead be a secondary or tertiary scoring option, much like Kristaps Porzingis in Boston. Teams like the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, or even the Portland Trail Blazers could all be interested in adding Zion to their roster, given the right circumstances.

As for Zion himself, it’s now or never. His future in the NBA is uncertain, and with every passing year, the window for him to fulfill his potential continues to shrink. Remember the Zion of high school and college—the player who was almost universally regarded as the next big thing in basketball. Six years later, he’s yet to play a single playoff game, and his body has betrayed him at nearly every turn. Now, just a few months away from turning 25, Zion must face the reality that he needs to prove himself, not just as a player with immense talent, but as someone who can stay healthy, committed, and ready to lead a team.

If Zion Williamson wants to salvage his NBA career, the time is now. Whether it’s with the Pelicans or another team, he has the potential to be one of the league’s most dominant players. But to unlock that potential, he must take accountability for his health, his body, and his mindset. If he can stay healthy and work on his weaknesses, there’s no telling how far he can go. However, the longer he remains on the sidelines, the less likely he will be remembered for his incredible talent and the more likely he will be known for the injuries that derailed his career. At 24 years old, Zion still has time to turn things around—but the clock is ticking, and he can’t afford to waste any more years.