The Pelicans are trending toward making the same costly decision that sunk the previous front office

With the 2025-26 season coming to a close, the time for the New Orleans Pelicans to move on from Zion Williamson has never been more obvious. This season was the seventh year of the Zion era in New Orleans, and once again, it amounted to no playoff success. Back in 2019, when the Pelicans drafted the Duke superstar with the No. 1 pick, he was expected to be the franchise's savior following the Anthony Davis trade. However, things didn't turn out that way, as throughout his time as the leader of the Pelicans franchise, the team has had zero playoff series victories.

With a bottom 5 finish out West this season and an emerging young tandem of Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, it appears the time to tear the Zion band-aid off has never made more sense.

Unfortunately for the Pelicans, it appears that Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver may have other plans for Zion Williamson this offseason. Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson reported that an extension is being discussed. Robinson reported that the team is considering a two-to-three-year contract extension this summer worth between $30–$35 million per season, and their commitment to Z is "certain".

If this is the case, the Pelicans' front office is trending toward a decision that could not only repeat the mistakes of the previous front office, but also sink this one.

A head-scratching decision

Since Joe Dumars and company took over, they have made some questionable moves, trading for Jordan Poole, signing Kevon Looney, mortgaging the future for Derik Queen, and making one trade at this year's deadline. However, no move on planet earth would be more puzzling and head-scratching than extending Zion at this point in his career.

When the David Griffin-led front office extended Z, they were kind of handcuffed. With him expected to be the savior and still yet to reach his prime, it made sense to invest in his future. But with the Pelicans stuck in mediocrity since the decision to extend Zion the first time, it makes you wonder what the thought process is for continuing to invest in him. Sure, he had one of, if not the most consistently healthy seasons of his career, but the track record speaks for itself.

There may never be another time when the former No. 1 pick's career value is as high as it is this offseason, given the season he had, making holding onto him foolish.

Considering the play styles of both Zion and Derik Queen clash to have a clean, successful future full of winning and maybe even one day banners being hung, they have to decide between one of the two. And the answer to that decision is obviously Queen.

DQ is younger, has the skill set of an offensive hub big man that opens endless possibilities, and is on a cheaper deal, and the front office just mortgaged part of their future for him last summer.

If the Pelicans are to reinvest in Zion Williamson this summer with a long-term contract extension, it would be a slap in the face to fans who have been waiting for a true rebuild. That decision also would show a lack of awareness and acknowledgment of how the previous front office's demise came about.