The New Orleans Pelicans' first step of the 2026 offseason is securing the franchise's next head coach. A wide search is taking place that features former Pelicans players like Rajon Rondo, developmental wizards like Nets assistant Steve Hetzel, and former head coaches like Darvin Ham. Regardless of who Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver hire, they must ensure that the coach's plans for Zion Williamson align with the front office's vision.
Since his arrival in New Orleans, Dumars has made his belief in Zion very clear.
Last offseason, he admitted to pushing Zion not only to improve his physical fitness but also to take a step forward as the leader of this Pelicans team. Although it's unclear what type of leadership role he played behind the scenes, he did take a massive step forward with his health, appearing in 62 games this past regular season. That 62-game mark is the second-most games he’s played in a single season, and has Dumars and company willing to reinvest in their star forward next season.
The front office has made it clear they feel Zion can be their franchise player, but for him to truly reach that status, he needs a head coach who will fully utilize him.
Zion needs to be the focus of the Pelicans' offense
This past regular season, Zion averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting an even 60 percent from the floor. With the NBA so focused on the three-ball and spacing the floor, Z can struggle to be impactful when the ball isn't in his hands, as off the ball, he can be a total zero. This made watching him this past season incredibly tough for fans. Sure, he put up great, efficient numbers, but his role in the Pelicans' offense was the smallest of his career.
Zion would get a few iso possessions each game, then spend the rest of the game standing around watching the ball.
The former No. 1 overall pick was taking only 13 shots per game, the lowest of his career, with his rookie year the next-lowest at 15 shots per game. On top of that, his usage was at an all-time low of 25.7 percent, a massive drop from the season prior, when it was 34.7 percent.
His massive role drop-off didn't just affect his scoring—his assist percentage reached a staggering low of 17.7 percent, down from the season prior, when it was 36.6 percent. As I mentioned, Zion is not a spacing threat, so the best way to make him effective is to give him the ball, let him initiate the offense, and let him create for himself and others. His low usage may make him a great second or third option for a contending team, but the Pelicans want him to be their star, and they have to find a coach who realizes that.
Joe Dumars' commitment to Z isn't just verbal; it's also reflected in his contract. Next season, Zion is set to make $42.1 million and be the team's highest-paid player. Paying someone $40+ million to take just 13 shots is a recipe for disaster, and whoever is named the franchise's next head coach must find creative ways to use Z. Have him be a playmaker, a scorer, and a screener—they can’t afford to put a player with Zion’s talent in a box that limits both him and the gravity he creates.
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