The New Orleans Pelicans were busy over the offseason, and they enter the 2025-26 campaign with a very different roster from the one they featured last year. Still at the center of the team is star power forward Zion Williamson, and it’s clear that this is a make-or-break year for the former Duke Blue Devils phenom.
There’s no doubt that, when he’s on the court, Williamson is an immensely talented player, but staying healthy has been a big challenge for him. After playing in only 30 games last season, it feels like this is the last chance for Williamson to prove that he can be a consistent option for New Orleans to build around, and he recently opened up on all the hate and doubt he is facing from fans ahead of the new year.
Zion Williamson’s Confident Message to Haters
— Zion Williamson on the outside noise
New Orleans selected Williamson with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft with the hope that he could be a player worth building around for the long-term future. And while the front office has tried desperately to build around Williamson, his inability to stay on the court has made their job increasingly difficult.
In his first six seasons in the league, Williamson has played 30 or fewer games four times. That includes the 2021-22 campaign, where he did not suit up at all due to complications from surgery on a Jones fracture in his foot. In the two other seasons, Williamson suited up in 61 and 70 games, earning All-Star selections both years.
In the past few months, the roster around Williamson has changed drastically. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum are gone, and Dejounte Murray is set to miss time to begin the season as he continues to work his way back from a torn Achilles tendon. And yet, if Williamson is healthy, New Orleans could take a step forward, as he made it clear he doesn’t want his haters switching sides when the team experiences success in the new season.
Whatever you said at that certain time, when the time comes when we are in a certain position, you just gotta stay over there,” Williamson said of folks who are doubting the Pelicans. “There is no coming over here, we don’t want validation. You don’t even have to waste your time and say, ‘Oh, them guys really did it.’ I don’t care. You just gotta stay over there.”
Pelicans Hoping Zion Williamson Can Stay Healthy in 2025-26 Campaign
GettyZion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With Ingram and McCollum gone, the Pelicans desperately need Williamson to not only stay healthy but also produce at a high level on the court for them moving forward. They have solid players like Trey Murphy III, Jordan Poole, and Herbert Jones around him, but if Williamson isn’t on the court, New Orleans’ talent floor is significantly lower.
Getting Murray back at some point in the season would certainly help, but at the end of the day, Williamson is going to determine just how successful the Pelicans end up being next year. If he misses a considerable chunk of time once again this season, New Orleans could be forced to make a difficult decision about his future moving forward.
Zion Williamson Sends Strong Message to Doubters Ahead of 2025-26 Season