The New Orleans Pelicans will once again bet on Zion Williamson during the 2025-26 NBA season.
The 2025-26 NBA season will be Zion Williamson’s sixth year in the league, as he has yet to reach his potential.
Each year, Williamson faces backlash over his unseriousness regarding his fitness. So much so that many believe it’s time for the New Orleans Pelicans to move on from him.
Despite that, the Pelicans refuse to give up on Zion. Now, for the first time in years, Williamson looks in peak shape ahead of the upcoming season.
Photo by Ben Brewer/Getty ImagesBrian Windhorst makes ‘actions have to carry over words’ statement about Zion Williamson
Williamson’s new lean look is impressive, but in the past, the 25-year-old has given nothing but false hope to the Pelicans fanbase.
Keeping that in mind, NBA insider Brian Windhorst issued a serious warning to Williamson following his viral look at the Pelicans’ Media Day.
“Actions have to carry over words at this point. The reality is this. 99% of NBA players’ teams would have moved on from over these last six years.
“Because Zion Williamson is so immensely talented, the Pelicans stick with him as their hopeful franchise player,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s NBA Today.
He added: “This is probably it. If he wants it to work in New Orleans, it’s got to be now. It’s got to show up in this season.”
With Williamson narrowly avoiding being on the trade block this summer, Windhorst’s warning makes sense as the 2025-26 NBA season could very well be the final time that NOLA trusts Zion.
Zion Williamson’s $90 million non-guaranteed contract gives the New Orleans Pelicans an edge
If Williamson can prove his critics wrong, it will be a best-case scenario for the Pelicans. But in case he falls behind in fitness, the Pelicans are all set to save massive money over the remainder of his deal.
“Defining success for the Pelicans is tough. They’ve got four different players coming off surgery. This seems like a thing that always happens to them. It’s happening again.
“They need Zion Williamson to do it now. He’s got almost $90 million over the next two seasons that are non-guaranteed. The Pelicans can cut him,” Windhorst continued.
In the apron era, that’s something they could do. He would get another job, but he wouldn’t make $90 million, and he wouldn’t be the franchise player. He’s got a lot to play for,” he concluded.
Now, the ball is in Williamson’s court to revive his NBA career as the Pelicans are finally making a push to become a perennial playoff team in the loaded Western Conference.