The New Orleans Pelicans are going to do everything they can to lose every one of the final seven games on their schedule. As it stands, they own the fourth-worst record in the league with 54 losses, two “behind” the Hornets, whom they beat on Sunday, for a coveted bottom-three spot. That carries with it the maximum 14% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which is almost certain to be Duke’s Cooper Flagg.
To aid in that effort, the Pelicans have officially shut down Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum for the remainder of the season. The Pelicans released a statement citing a low-back contusion for Williamson and a foot contusion for McCollum, which are alternative ways of saying “we’re tanking.”
Williamson has yet again endured an injury-riddled season, managing to play in just 30 games, which somehow registers as only his fourth-lowest total in six NBA seasons. Williamson played 24 games in his rookie year, missed the entire 2021-22 season and played in just 29 two years ago.
Sure, Williamson played well over his 30 games, averaging just under 25 points to go with career highs in rebounds (7.2) and assists (5.3), but who cares at this point. There’s nothing left to be uncovered about Williamson’s ability. The only number in his stats that matters is games played.
The Pelicans are in a tight spot with Williamson because he is so great when he plays, and yet his trade value is likely not what a player of his caliber should be given his inability to stay on the court. Do they accept dimes on the dollar for him, or keep doing this “can he say healthy?” dance for another year? It’ll likely be the latter.
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Colin Ward-Henninger
The Pelicans were not supposed to be a tank team this season. They…
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