We're almost through the 2024-25 NBA regular season. Clearly, this campaign hasn't gone the way that the New Orleans Pelicans hoped it would coming into the year. After getting a career-high 70 games from Zion Williamson in 2023-24 and trading for Dejounte Murray at the top of the summer, the Pels were looking to make a deep playoff run.
Instead, they're competing for top lottery odds in the hopes of landing Cooper Flagg or another elite prospect, such as fellow Duke Blue Devil Khaman Maluach. To maximize their chances of bottoming out, the Pelicans officially shut down Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum.
They may be listed with minor injuries — a lower back bruise for Zion and a foot contusion for CJ — but this was clearly a move to help the team tank rather than an actual reflection of their health and availability. Some NBA talking heads might try to say otherwise, though. Even though Zion and CJ aren't actually injured and shutting them down is the wise move for the betterment of the team, it still sucks that their seasons are over, especially when we may have already seen one of their last games as a Pelican.
There's a legitimate chance that one or both Zion and CJ get traded this offseason
Earlier this year, the future of the New Orleans Pelicans seemed to be completely up in the air. After a string of injuries took out their entire core rotation and ended their playoff aspirations just weeks into the season, the organization was in flux, in need of some deep introspection. Reportedly, they seriously considered a complete roster overhaul.
Ahead of the trade deadline, the Pelicans apparently made it known that nearly all of their players were on the table for discussion, save for a few designated young players they wished to build around. Neither Zion nor CJ made New Orleans's shortlist of untouchable assets.
Ultimately, both of them survived past the trade deadline, but that doesn't necessarily mean that their futures in the Big Easy are secured. It only suggests that the Pelicans' front office didn't receive any offers for Williamson or McCollum that were convincing enough for them to pull the trigger. Since the deadline, both players have proven themselves more desirable assets than they were in February.
Zion continued his torrid run this season, finishing with 30 games' worth of dominant numbers. More importantly, he stayed in shape, maintaining his new playing weight, and remained healthy without incurring any serious injuries. As for CJ, he maintained his steadfast consistency, ever the 20-point scorer and requisite veteran.
Once the offseason rolls around, McCollum will have just one year left on his deal: $30.7 million owed for the 2025-26 campaign. That's an extremely palatable contract with minimal risk attached. The fact that his $30 million cap figure will come off the books in 2026 makes his deal even more attractive, as it could offer any team trading for him significant salary relief.
Both Zion and CJ may have survived the trade deadline this past season, but there's a very real chance that one or even both of them could be moved this summer. And if that's the case, then the Pelicans' faithful will have already seen their last game in the New Orleans navy and gold.