Zion Williamson will remain the Pelicans‘ franchise cornerstone, new executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars told Rod Walker of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Dumars cleared up any speculation regarding the possibility of Williamson being traded this offseason.
“I’ve had really good conversations with Zion,” Dumars said. “We’ve had lunch. Dinner. Watched playoff games together. We’ve done it all. I’ve had some real honest conversations with him. Some real direct and honest conversations. We’re going to go forward with Zion. He’s going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward.”
Naturally, Williamson has to hold up his end of the bargain. His career has been marred by numerous injuries. He missed the entire 2021/22 season due to foot ailments and appeared in no more than 30 games in three of his other five seasons, including this past year.
When he’s been on the court, Williamson has been a stat-stuffer, averaging 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game over the course of his career. The conversations between Dumars and Williamson have included expectations that the former No. 1 overall pick will get in top shape and do everything possible to stay on the court. He has three years remaining on his maximum-salary contract, which isn’t fully guaranteed.
“We’ve had some real direct conversations with him about that,” Dumars said. “Expectations. Accountability. That’s our plan going forward with Zion.”
Williamson has been in the news recently, as a woman who says she dated him for several years has filed a lawsuit against the Pelicans forward, alleging rape and abuse. Williamson’s legal reps have called the allegations “categorically false and reckless.”
While Dumars declined to comment on Williamson’s legal issues, Pelicans owner Gayle Benson did briefly address them earlier this week, saying “You know, lawsuits are lawsuits. You really can’t … You don’t know. I mean people can sue you for anything. There’s no reason. You can be innocent or not. It’s just something that people do, unfortunately.”
Dumars did confirm that Williamson represented the team at the draft lottery last month to make a statement about the 24-year-old’s status within the organization.
“I sent him to the lottery for a reason,” Dumars said. “I want him to start focusing on the responsibilities of being the best player here and the focal point. There are some responsibilities that come with that. Go represent your organization.”
Dumars also discussed with Walker his thoughts on retaining Willie Green as head coach.
“It’s hard for me to come in here and say, ‘Here’s how I assessed Willie last year,” Dumars said. “I wasn’t here. All I can do is move forward and guide and create and lead and put expectations on what we need to do here to be successful. And only then can I judge Willie or anyone else. I was pleased with what I heard. I’m looking forward to going forward and working with Willie and to push us to success. You’ve got to set the bar. And that’s what we’re going to do.”
Had lunch AND dinner together … naturally
Without a breakfast together I just can’t have any faith in their relationship.
He could only reach Zion during eating hours lmao
Betting it was held at an all you can eat buffet!
So with Zion are we ready to call him a “bust?”
He never plays. When he does, he goes berserk but the guy never plays and that is a huge problem. Availability is a skill.
Yes
Are we labeling Embiid a bust as well? You could say all the same things
Embiid has at least made some noise in the league and won an MVP…
Zion has a couple of dunks to his name…
Wow based on the reaction I seem to have struck a nerve. The truth usually does. Zion had won regular season awards too. Congrats
I don’t see 2 scoring titles or MVP… should I go on or ask you to change your name.
It’s always about Embiid with you…
Ditto
You are a Joel hater so your opinion is mute.
He also was mostly healthy for a lot of years until this last one where he played most of the season, but had a bunch of injuries in or just before the playoffs.
You know what you’re right Embiid only being on the floor for about 50% of his career is technically more than Zion. Should be another chip for Philly then
The damage he does to opponents the 50 % Joel has been on the court is outrageous, dominant, sassy and HOF numbers. He’s quadrupled teamed and still can’t be stopped, when he feels the need. So yes our fingers crossed in Philly,he is healthy,if he is, looks up the numbers. IMO.
The damage he does when he flops and falls into their legs lol. And yes, maybe one day he’ll make it to the sixers hall of fame.
Calling Embiid a bust damages the credibility of the person posting it. How could anyone take that comment seriously? Zion on the other hand…. He’s getting close.
Really bad take.
Embiid is going to be 32 during next season. It’s not realistic to think he’s going to be healthier. He will only decline further, miss a larger portion of games, and most likely retire by the end of his current extension. There is a good chance he eventually medically retires to give the 76ers a jump start on the rebuild and save Harris and Co. tax penalties. No one as great and dominant as you claim he is needs you to run defense for his reputation. Outside of Philly and inside the NBA, he has a soft reputation with a tendency to quit on his team. Individual awards when you crater in the 2nd round aren’t the glory years you make them out to be. It’s really not worth the effort to fight this losing battle over a complete stranger who has won your franchise literally nothing.
Another Joel MVP hater and NBA insider gives another nonsense filled take. Crater in the 2nd round, playing with a fractured face? Ripped off thumb ? One leg? Foolish comment. NBA insider druuu sources are bogus IMO. I agree you aren’t worth my time and you are dismissed.
Not to take away from the fact Zion is the problem – expectation and accountability has become such a cliche. Accountable how? What are your expectations and how are they different? How do both take into account Zion’s deficiencies as a human? The issue is desire and clearly Zion doesn’t desire or feel it’s necessary to meet expectations and be accountable. You have to work around or move on from people like Zion. It’s arrogant to expect corporate cliche’s to work on everyone.
Oooooof
Gotta feel for Pelicans fans… was always gonna be hard to move on from Zion… But the older he gets the harder that is…
Congrats Joe – you got the job but the only condition is your success is linked to an out of shape, lazy guy that’s hurt all the time. Other than that we have your back.
I mean he is probably the most untradeable guy in the league. He’s all question marks and nothing else.
Bradley Beal genius.
Translation Zion trade value right now is a big negative so we hold onto him instead of taking a huge loss. Only offer we are getting is for terrible players. We will,gamble an dhope his legal troubles go away and he decide to get fit for training camp.
If the Bucks end up trading Giannis Im sure if the Pelicans offered Milwaukee their 2026 and 2027 First round picks back they would be willing to take on Zions contract.
Cheesehead IMO, there is no way any other NBA team will touch Zion at this time.
The legal suit against him mentions two HUGE RED FLAGS: cocaine and violence against women.
If the allegations are true, Zion will be suspended by the league. Until the truth is known, Zion will be a Pelican.
No plan pelicans…
Joe has two options, trade him or try to make him better. Right now nobody is banging on the door to acquire Zion so he’s going to try and in a couple years sign him again or send him to another team. It’s not rocket science and who knows, maybe Williamson will figure it out and change people’s minds.
It’s a free gesture. Zion’s contract certainly carries no negative trade value, and probably has decent positive value as a fill in the blank trade piece. Dumars is most likely trying to give Zion a fresh slate, while also giving him the rope to hang himself. Dumars isn’t going to have much patience with this player, but he has to have some with the process.
Can’t hang yourself when you have 3 years/125 million guaranteed left on your deal.
Zion can do whatever he wants and the Pelicans can’t do anything about it.
@Darren
Check again, the remaining years of his contract are no longer guaranteed due to the language he agreed to when he signed it.
The Pelicans could decide to waive him without a penalty (ofc they would much rather trade him if he can reclaim som value next season).
Nope, they can do something about it. Like release him at any time with no consequences. Completely non-guaranteed deal at this point. Meaning, despite the nonsense in this thread, it can’t be a bad contract. It’s even an asset, in that it can be used in a trade to match contracts merely be guarantying the minimum amount required for the match.
Translation: he’s untradable. He’s the most negative player asset in professional sports.
Overpaid, always injured, and now TMZ’s most covered athelete. Porn stars, sex addiction, coke-fueled rages, physical abuse (according to the article). “New Orkeans Pelicans star Zion is at it again…”
Joe really had to go there with the lunch and dinner comment.
Good luck PELICANS fans.
Trade Murray and their pick or Missi for a good starting C and a 2nd
Their training staff, make sure they have a good coach and maybe their team name the Pelicans needs to be improved
@ Luke
What “good starting” centers are available in a trade?
Dumars is about to get exposed again.
Hasn’t made any relevant basketball decisions in 20 years.