Pelicans advice on Zion Williamson injury from coach K
While the 2024-25 campaign was anything but smooth for New Orleans Pelicansthere was one positive for the team the return of star forward Sion Williamson. Since being selected No. 1 overall by the Pelicans in 2019, Williamson has not dealt with a lack of injuries. Mike Krzyzewskibetter known as “Coach K,” who coached Williamson at Duke, gave him advice on how to deal with injuries. The the advice was given in the interview with NCAA.com’s Andy Katz.
“He has to come back from them, but he also has to maintain a level of fitness that won’t cause those injuries,” said Coach K. “With how high he jumps and the power he does, it’s a different landing if you’re 20 pounds heavier or 20 pounds less. He was great to train and his parents let us train him. I love Zion and I’m sorry he had all these injuries. You’re never quite the same if you get injured during the season and then come back. At the end of the season you have the entire offseason and you can get back to 100%. Injuries in a season are very, very bad, but he’s had a few.
Williamson has appeared in 10 of the Pelicans’ 44 games so far this season, averaging 28.9 minutes in those contests. The 6-foot-6 forward is averaging 21.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 48.5% from the field.
Zion could Will Williamson be traded? Where?
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With the Pelicans sitting at 12-32 – second to last in the Western Conference – they are expected to move some pieces when the trade deadline rolls around. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are two common names for this. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report included Williamson in his recent big board.
According to Buckley, the Charlotte Hornets can be an ideal landing spot for Williamson.
“Williamson wouldn’t face the same pressure to win right now in Charlotte, but he could get a chance to win very quickly if he and LaMelo Ball stay healthy,” Buckley wrote. “That virus-friendly pairing would be a nightly source of offensive fireworks, and swingman Brandon Miller could nestle between them as an ideal tertiary option.” Sprinkle the right amount of development around them – and perhaps a premiership plucked from the seemingly stacked 2025 draft – and this club could soon have the star power and depth needed to make waves in the Eastern Conference.
Regardless of whether the Pelicans decide to move on from Williamson, they will likely make some changes around the deadline.
Daniel Locke covers the New Orleans Pelicans and is an associate editor for ClutchPoints. He will graduate from Auburn University in May with a degree in journalism. Daniel covered Auburn Athletics throughout his time as a student, focusing on football, men’s basketball and baseball.
2025-01-22 23:25:00
