On February 19, Beijing time, when the Pelicans are currently only 2 wins away from the 10th place in the West, there is no doubt that they still have the possibility of counterattacking the play-off seat. Only now, according to The Pelicans reporter Christian Clark, Zion may need to undergo surgery again, and Brian Windhorst broke the news that Zion may have been reimbursed for the season, but he is interested in renewing his contract this summer.
The New Orleans Pelicans have been fighting for victory this season, with the young team finishing 11th in the West with a record of 23 wins and 36 losses, equaling the spurs in the previous position and just two wins away from the 10th place Blazers in the West. In the first 59 games of the season that have ended, the Pelicans have been missing the core of Zion.
The star striker had a fractured right foot and undergone repair surgery before the start of the season, resulting in a delay in his return to the game. Zion may now need a second surgery, but no decision has been made yet.
That's bad news for the Pelicans, who have been a core player in New Orleans since being drafted in 2019. He made a breakthrough in his 2019 rookie season and saw his prowess in 2020 at an All-Star level.
Zion's response to the Pelican trade to CJ McCollum was "very positive," and likewise, McCollum is looking forward to playing with the Pelicans' young talent, but it's unclear when he'll be able to play with Zion.
The Pelicans had hoped Zion would be fit at the start of the 2021 season, but that didn't happen, and his debut was delayed until December and then to mid-February. With a possible second surgery, it's unclear if Zion will be able to make a comeback this season.
According to Brian Windhors, "The Pelicans' coaching staff and players, a few weeks ago, thought not to expect Zion to return this season. When the Pelicans traded CJ McCollum before the trade deadline, they already knew that Zion was most likely no longer available, and even likely even reimbursed for the season. ”
In addition, Brian Windhors also revealed that Zion has qualified to complete an early contract extension with the team at the end of this season, and Zion himself is interested in this, but how the Pelican management will respond, and whether they will dare to issue a big contract to "Glassman" Zion is still unknown.
(Drunken Lying Floating Life)