Why is Sion Williamson still new Orleans’ ‘guy’

Despite another injured season and the worst franchise-worst record since his arrival, Zion Williamson remains central for New Orleans Pelikans“Long-term plans.

During the NBA 2K26 summer league in Las Vegas, Keith Smith spoke in Las Vegas with coaches and managers from the whole league. The Pelicanca CEO clearly said that Williamson, now enters his sixth NBA season, The cornerstone remains their renewal.

“Sion is still our guy,” the executive said. “If she didn’t, we could give it up anything on the books. We could reset everything. But we believe in sion. It wants to do it, and so. This partnership has not yet approximately not approximately.”

Williamson, 25, average on average 24.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game at 56.7% shoot at only 30 performances last season. While productive when healthy, its constant availability remains worrying. Pelican has completed a campaign of 2024-25 with 21-61 records – their other worst goal in the history of franchise – the rash injuries through the list.

The Offsesona saw a significant reshape of the team structure Under the new boss of basketball operations Joe Dumars. Among the most prominent moves was a Trade that sent CJ McCollum and Kelly Olinik to Visards Washington In exchange for Jordan Poole, Saddik bei, and number 40 Pick in the NBA 2025 draft, which were used to select Tekas Tech Wing Micah Peavi. The team also Kevon Looney Veteran Center Signed Two-year, 16 million dollars contract to step up the depth of the front.

Pelicanci twice on Sion Williamson as Centraldied Adid Adid Addials and Roster Remont

In the first round of the draft, New Orleans chose the Jeremia’s guard fears with choice no. 7 and later It trades with Atlanta Hawks to acquire Maryland Big Man Man Derik Queen In number 13. The front office expressed strong trust in the choice.

“We loved Jeremi where we made. We didn’t have a long-term player on guard. We feel like Jeremiah will be that guy for years and years,” Exective Tim said.

“As for the Derick, he was there with Jeremia. When we had the opportunity to trade a deal, it wasn’t for a moment. We now have a leader of the floor and versatile great man.” It’s a big man.

In addition to adding a young talent, the pelicans dealt with a depth by signing a veteran to a large man Kevon Looney and the acquisition of Poole, who looked at the front office as a durable and proven shooter. While Bey missed the previous season due to injury, it is expected to provide the necessary armature on the lap.

New Orleans recently Extended all-defensive first team Advanced Herzegovina Jones Three-year, $ 68 million of the contract, which further strengthens its core.

Despite the prone frustrations, pelicans signal belief in the current foundation – with Williamson still in the center. As franchisees towards the new ERI under brain, internal faith in the first neighborhood 1. The general choice remains unshakable.