It feels like anytime it really seems like the New Orleans Pelicans front office is ready to move on from Zion Williamson, his health gets in the way. However, thanks to the work he put into his body this offseason, it doesn't appear that this will be a problem this time around.
One of the main talking points for the New Orleans Pelicans heading into the 2025-26 season was Zion Williamson's incredible shape. All summer, it was rumored and reported that Williamson was dedicated and committed to getting in better shape and being at his best for this season. He then showed up to media day and looked to be in the best shape of his NBA career.
Williamson went down with an abductor injury on December 2nd, and ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that he would be re-evaluated in three weeks. Instead, he had an incredibly speedy recovery and was back just 12 days later. According to Williamson, this quick recovery was primarily due to the work he put into his body this summer.
"Injuries suck...Over the summer, me putting in that work on my body, allows me if something does happen, it's not something that keeps me out for a super long time. I'm able to rehab at a faster but more efficient rate"Zion Williamson
His being able to rehab faster is only going to help the Pelicans in trade talks if they do finally decide to pull the trigger on a Williamson trade.
Williamson’s return appears to have increased the chances of a trade
In Williamson's return, he scored 18 points to go along with six rebounds and two assists, while also fully embracing coming off the bench in his return. His performance and willingness to buy into whatever the coaching staff felt was best shows opposing front offices that Williamson is committed to winning and could help increase his trade value.
The Pelicans' chance of winning increases significantly when Z plays. There's no doubt about that, so if he can remain healthy and this team can string together some wins, then the Pelicans making Williamson available via trade will look a lot less like a move of desperation. Meaning opposing front offices may show more of a willingness to attach additional draft capital in trades.
The New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson have been married for nearly seven years, and it feels like a divorce has been looming for some time. If Williamson can remain healthy and produce at the All-Star level he’s capable of heading into the trade deadline, the Pelicans may finally have a clean exit.