On April 8, Beijing time, this season, there are several players who can be said to be lying down to earn money, one is the Lakers Nunn, one is the Nets' Ben Simmons, and the other is the Pelicans' champion Lang Zion Williamson. With the Lakers' early end to the season, Nunn won't choose to make a comeback, and it's safe to assume that the 26-year-old will execute the player option in his contract in the offseason to stay with the Purple and Gold; as for Zion, given that the Pelicans still have hopes of entering the playoffs, his season is not over yet.
What's more, his rookie contract is about to expire, so it becomes especially important to express himself before his contract expires. Unfortunately, Zion's foot was plagued by injuries, which delayed his return to the game. However, just recently, Zion finally came good news, according to reporter Bill Simmons, during this time, Zion resumed weight training, has reduced his weight by 24 pounds, that is, about 21 pounds, and his injury has improved rapidly.
Now Zion can not only do weight-bearing exercises and 1-on-1 training, but also 5-on-5 group practice, so once the Pelicans can go further, he will still have the possibility of coming back, and everything he is doing now is the best illustration. Since closing the big deal, the Pelicans have been reborn and rebranded, and at one point they went from the bottom team in the West to the ninth in the division, catching the last train in the playoffs at the last minute. Sadly, Ingram is injured again, and at a time like this, if there is a star who can carry the team's attack, it may be Zion.
However, the Pelicans' attitude is very clear: Zion has no definite return time. The implication is: don't worry, trouble you wait. Why did the Pelicans make such a decision, wouldn't it be better to have Zion? First, the Pelicans may be worried about Zion's injury, afraid that he will return early and injured again, then a whole season of recovery efforts will be wasted; second, afraid of Zion's return to affect the team's chemistry, after all, the playoffs can almost be said to be a game of winning and losing, Zion Jiushu Stadium, just comeback state may not be too good, it is better to let other players fight, into the playoffs he will come back not too late.
Third, Zion's contract is about to expire, and he has only played 85 games in three seasons in the league, and the Pelicans have their own considerations, and if Zion does not return, they can press him on the negotiation of a contract extension. Obviously, both sides have their own considerations, and Zion is also in a hurry, he hopes to make an early comeback for two purposes, the first is to help the team reach the playoffs, and the second is to play a wonderful performance on the field and strive to sign a big contract at the end of his rookie contract.
Last season, Zion averaged 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 61.1% from the field, Zion's talent is clearly visible, his technical shortcomings may be the lack of outside firepower, the shortcomings in talent are insufficient height, however, players like Zion, who see will drool, the Pelicans hope to be able to play in the playoffs, Zion is also eager to return to the field to prove themselves again, after all, people can not live with the silver of the white flowers.