Pelicans star Zion Williamson promises ‘different summer’
METAIRIE, La. — Zion Williamsonfed up with by no means having appeared in a playoff sport throughout his first seven NBA seasons with New Orleans, is forecasting “a different summer.”
While gratified by how sturdy and out there he was for the Pelicans this season, Williamson was not fully happy along with his total efficiency and bothered by the truth that the Pelicans gained simply 22 of the 62 video games by which he performed.
“My play on the court — it was OK,” Williamson, who averaged 21 factors per sport, stated Monday, the day after the Pelicans completed a second straight, non-playoff season at 26-56. “I was efficient, but I don’t want to sit here and say it was OK and we’re not even in the Western Conference play-in tournament.
“Individually, I’ve lots to go work on. I would like to have the ability to assault from a number of areas on the court docket. I would like to have the ability to be unpredictable on the offensive finish, and I did not actually do an excellent job of that this yr. … I would like to have the ability to do extra for my staff.”
Williamson, a powerful, explosive, 6-foot-6 forward who was drafted first overall out of Duke in 2019, set a personal record by appearing in 35 straight games this season. His total number of games played were the second-most in his career, behind only the 70 he played in the 2023-24 season. That was also the last time the Pelicans appeared in the NBA playoffs — but did so without Williamson, who injured his left hamstring in the waning minutes a play-in loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The solely different time the 25-year-old Williamson performed greater than 30 video games in a season was throughout 2020-21, when he performed 61. Overall, he has missed 280 of 556 profession common season video games due to knee, hand, foot and mushy tissue accidents — most notably his hamstring.
“What I’m most happy with is how briskly I used to be capable of bounce again from any accidents that I had this yr,” said Williamson, who could have played in 65 games, but was rested for New Orleans’ final three, low-stakes contests.
Pelicans veteran guard Dejounte Murray applauded the steps Williamson has taken to improve his health in the past year.
“Z — I feel he is getting it,” Murray said. “He’s received to proceed to care for his physique, his thoughts, and his improvement is essential, too.”
Williamson’s availability this season could make him more attractive to other teams, but he asserted that he’d rather not be traded.
“New Orleans is house for me. I do not say that as a result of I’m sitting in entrance of those cameras,” said Williamson, who has two seasons left on a five-year contract worth close to $200 million. “When the offseason hits, quite a lot of guys go away town. I dwell right here. … I’ve been right here since I used to be 19.”
Williamson also said he “100%” trusts in the vision of Hall-of Famer Joe Dumars, who was hired a year ago as Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations.
“He has the resume,” Williamson said, referring to Dumars’ championships as both a player and general manager with the Detroit Pistons. “So, somebody in my place, all I can do is ask questions and no matter data he has to provide me, simply take heed to it.”
Williamson’s goal next season is to play in 75 to 82 games — and finally appear the playoffs.
His pursuit of the latter goal, he said, will involve probing conversations with Dumars and “different corridor of famers,” and “different championship gamers.”
“I’m seeking to take a unique strategy as a result of it is irritating getting up right here yearly and never being within the playoffs — and I’ll take my duty in that. I undoubtedly maintain myself accountable,” Williamson said.
“So, it is time to begin taking completely different approaches, gaining what data I can and dealing on various things,” Williamson continued. “I’ve to make use of the assets that I can attain out and search the knowledge — search the data that I want.”
