As the 2025–26 season winds down, the New Orleans Pelicans are once again outside the playoff picture. The current era of New Orleans basketball has been marked by injuries, underachievement, and unmet expectations. While missing the postseason this year is disappointing for the Pelicans' faithful, the 2026 postseason may create an opportunity that fans have been waiting years for.
With this being the seventh year of the Zion Williamson era and the result being yet another year of missing the playoffs, fans are starting to grow restless. When New Orleans drafted the Duke superstar No. 1 overall in the 2019 draft, he was expected to come in and lift the franchise to new heights. But now, seven years later, he hasn't even played a playoff game.
However, the way the playoff bracket is shaping up in both conferences could create more suitors for Zion this offseason than ever before.
Zion could be one of the league’s hottest commodities this summer
Zion appears to be in some of the best shape of his career, aside from his rookie season. The number of games he’s played this year also suggests a real change took place last offseason. This season, Zion set a new personal best, appearing in 35 straight games, the most consecutive games he had played in his career.
On top of that, he's still putting up good counting stats with an average of 21.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. His rejuvenated health and top-tier starter-level scoring production would make him a great 3rd or even 2nd option for some of the league's playoff teams.
Teams like the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, and even the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons could all look Zion's way if they fall short this postseason. All three of these teams have a primary star, but lacks a No. 2 or No. 3 option. Phoenix has Devin Booker, Miami has Bam Adebayo, and Detroit has Cade Cunningham. Adding Zion to any of these three teams would instantly reduce the offensive load these stars would have to carry.
This season, Zion hasn't just proved he can be healthy and produce at a high level—he has also shown he can do so in a scaled-back role. With the overwhelming depth New Orleans has in the front court, Z's usage has dipped to the lowest of his career, but that hasn't stopped him from still producing at a high level. One of these teams could view his ability to remain effective in a reduced role as especially valuable.
Even though Pelicans fans will have to watch the playoffs for the second straight season without their favorite team participating, this postseason could finally trigger meaningful change.