Zion Williamson has not set foot on an NBA court this season and, at this point, it’s hard to picture that happening.
Last offseason, Williamson had surgery on his right foot to repair his fifth metatarsal (the bone connecting the little toe and the ankle), but the area has not healed as Zion and the doctors had hoped. He felt pain in his foot when ramping up workouts back in December (which is why the team scaled those workouts back).
Now comes word Zion could need another surgery. From Christian Clark of NOLA.com/Times-Picayune:
Williamson was supposed to return to practice in December, but he began experiencing soreness in his right foot. That month, he flew to Los Angeles to have an injection to promote healing. It is possible he will need a second surgery on his right foot, sources said, but nothing has been decided.
Zion would be far from the first player to have issues with slow healing in that bone, for example, both Ben Simmons and Kevin Durant took an extended time to recover from that fracture.
It doesn’t help that Zion has weighed more than many around the league expected of him, which puts additional stress on bones and ligaments when he cuts and moves. Also, he reportedly has not been the most diligent person with his rehab.
Despite all that, when Zion has played he has impressed, averaging 25.7 points, 7 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game over his career. He is as good an inside scorer as there is in the league.
Here is Zion’s statement from last month about what is happening:
“As you can imagine, this has been a very difficult process for me,” Williamson said in a statement released by the team. “I know there’s work to be done in my recovery before I can safely return to the court, but I will continue to put in the time necessary so I can get back on the floor with my team and represent Pelicans fans and the city of New Orleans at the highest level. Basketball means everything to me, and I am thankful for the Pelicans organization and everyone who has surrounded me with love and support throughout this journey – my family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans, and everybody who has stood behind me and uplifted me when I needed it most.”
The Pelicans were active at the trade deadline bringing in CJ McCollum, looking to build a team that could both make the postseason this year (as a play-in team) and thrive with Zion in the lineup whenever that happens. Clark reports Zion was excited about the addition of McCollum.
Hanging over all of this: Zion is eligible for a max contract extension this summer. Will the Pelicans give it to him? The expectation around the league is yes, but will the Pels ask for health or games played provisions (not unlike Joel Embiid had in his rookie extension)?
Even when he’s off the court, there’s a lot of drama around Zion Williamson in New Orleans.
FAQs
It is possible he will need a second surgery on his right foot, sources said, but nothing has been decided. Zion would be far from the first player to have issues with slow healing in that bone, for example, both Ben Simmons and Kevin Durant took an extended time to recover from that fracture.
How many years does Zion have left on his contract? ›
By missing more than 22 games last season, Williamson triggered a clause that turned the salary he is owed for the 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons from guaranteed to non-guaranteed.
How many times was Zion injured? ›
INJURIES
| DATE | INJURY |
|---|
| 3/31/21 | Thumb |
| 3/4/21 | Toe |
| 1/13/21 | Health and safety protocols |
| 8/10/20 | Knee |
31 more rowsWilliamson is listed at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) tall and weighs 284 pounds (129 kg).
How much does Zion Williamson make in endorsem*nts? ›
Top 15 Highest-Paid Basketball Players 2023-24
| Rank | Player | Endorsem*nts |
|---|
| 12 | Jimmy Butler | $7.5M |
| 13 | Kawhi Leonard | $7M |
| 14 | Luka Dončić | $12M |
| 15 | Zion Williamson | $16M |
11 more rowsOct 19, 2023
Zion Williamson signed a 5 year , $197,230,450 contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, including $197,230,450 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $39,446,090. In 2024-25, Williamson will earn a base salary of $36,725,670, while carrying a cap hit of $36,725,670 and a dead cap value of $18,362,835.
Did Zion have surgery? ›
Right Foot Injury - 2021
This was the worst injury that Zion faced. Pelicans announced that the forward will undergo a surgery to heal his fractured foot which he suffered during the offseason. In November 2021, the team said that the player had been cleared to make a full comeback to team activities.
How often is Zion destroyed? ›
In order to prevent the entire system from crashing, the machines must periodically destroy Zion and "The One" must reboot the Matrix and choose a group of people to rebuild the city. Neo discovers that this cycle has occurred five times in the past and is about to complete its sixth repetition.
What was the Pelicans record before Zion injury? ›
The New Orleans Pelicans were 25-28 without Zion Williamson in 2022-23.
| TEAM | REC | PPG |
|---|
| New Orleans Pelicans | 25-28 | 112.6 |
Moriah Mills is not the mother of Zion Williamson's child. Zion Williamson has one daughter with his girlfriend Akheema Rose. si.com/nba/pelicans/n…
His measured vertical leap stands at an astonishing 45 inches. Picture him soaring nearly four feet off the ground.
Who is the lightest NBA player? ›
Lightest Weight
- Jacob Gilyard. 160lbs (72kg) | 5'9" Ht | BKN. ...
- Terquavion Smith. 160lbs (72kg) | 6'4" Ht | PHI. ...
- Trae Young. 164lbs (74kg) | 6'1" Ht | ATL. ...
- Xavier Moon. 165lbs (74kg) | 6'0" Ht | LAC. ...
- Isaiah Joe. 165lbs (74kg) | 6'3" Ht | OKC.
Zion Williamson Car
Mercedes AMG G63 is a luxury symbol with great off-road specifications. It can generate 416 HP and is committed to delivering a great level of comfort and pleasure to drivers. It costs Zion USD 130,000. Mercedes AMG GT 4-door Coupe belongs to E-Class and comes equipped with a 4L V8 biturbo engine.
What is Shaq's net worth? ›
He's also a successful entrepreneur, actor, investor, and philanthropist whose multifaceted career has significantly boosted his net worth. As of 2024, Shaq's net worth is estimated to be upwards of $500 million according to multiple sources.
Who is the richest player in the NBA? ›
Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, who signed a four-year, $215 million extension in 2021, tops the list of the season's highest salary for a third year in a row.
Is Zion Williamson's contract fully guaranteed? ›
The final three years of his contract, starting with the 2025-26 season, are no longer guaranteed. That means the Pelicans have the contractual power to waive Williamson after the 2024-25 season with no financial ramifications — though rival team executives believe that would only happen in extreme circ*mstances.
How long is Zion in the NBA? ›
Zion Williamson has played 4 years in his career.
| NAME | SEAS | APG |
|---|
| Zion Williamson | 1 | 2.1 |
| Zion Williamson | 1 | 3.7 |
| Zion Williamson | 1 | 4.6 |
| Zion Williamson | 1 | 5.0 |
2024 Free Agent Tracker
| NAME | POS | AGE |
|---|
| Precious Achiuwa | F | 24 |
| Jose Alvarado | G | 26 |
| Kyle Anderson | F-G | 30 |
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo | F | 31 |
27 more rows