Well, the 2024-25 NBA season is going to end the same way for Zion Williamson as last year's, with him on the sidelines in street clothes. The New Orleans Pelicans officially announced earlier today that they were shutting down both him and CJ McCollum for the remainder of the campaign.
This news comes on the heels of their victory over the Charlotte Hornets, a game that they desperately wanted and needed to lose to maximize their odds in the NBA Draft lottery. With just seven outings left for the Pelicans this year, it'll be a long shot for them to catch Charlotte for the third-worst record in the league, but that shouldn't stop them from trying.
Not only should they continue to try to chase down the Hornets, but they'll need to actively avoid the Philadelphia 76ers as well. The Sixers are now 23-52 and riding an impressive eight-game losing streak. They're currently sitting just two games ahead of the Pelicans. For comparison, New Orleans is 2.5 games ahead of Charlotte after beating them head-to-head. With the entire league gearing up for the home stretch, the Pelicans need to ensure that they finish with at least the fourth-best odds in the NBA Draft lottery. Shutting down both Zion and CJ is a necessary first step in doing so.
Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum both had great individual seasons despite the Pelicans' struggles
Now that Zion Williamson's season is officially over, we can analyze it in its totality. It may have technically ended in injury, and he may have only played 30 games, but this wasn't the typical unhealthy campaign from Big Z. He came into the year after shedding significant weight in the summer. Last month, he reportedly weighed in at just 264 lbs, his lightest since getting drafted by the Pelicans back in 2019.
It's clear that he was able to keep the weight off throughout the season and maintain his new level of conditioning. Now, he did miss significant time with a hamstring injury, more than that ailment typically costs an NBA athlete. When he went out, though, the Pelicans were already 3-6, and he was joining Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy III in the infirmary. It made sense why New Orleans chose to take their time bringing him back.
In the end, he put up astronomical numbers while limiting his minutes and wear-and-tear in a lost season. Per 36 minutes, he averaged 31.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks, all of which were career-bests. He did so while maintaining his elite efficiency, slashing 57 percent from the field. It's weird to say, considering he only played 30 games, but this season should instill confidence in the Pelicans that Zion's body can hold up for an extended playoff run next year and down the road.
CJ McCollum once again proved that he remains one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He's been a bastion of consistency, having averaged 21.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on 37 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent from deep. This year marked his 10th in a row with at least 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists a night. In a season where the Pelicans desperately needed stability, CJ remained a steadfast veteran presence, ensuring that New Orleans will have at least one sure thing as they venture into the most important offseason in recent franchise history.