In this year's playoffs, the Pelicans played dazzlingly. They started from the playoffs, eliminating the Spurs and Clippers and finishing 9th in the regular season to reach the playoffs. Facing the League's No. 1 Suns in the first round of the playoffs, the Pelicans were eliminated on aggregate 2-4.
Although the Pelicans stopped the first round of the playoffs, the future of this team is still bright. Ingram proved himself through the playoffs, with Herbert Jones and Alvarado defending Paul impressive. Don't forget, the Pelicans also sit on the bench with a showman, Zion.
This season, Zion has failed to represent the Pelicans with a foot injury. Entering the league for 3 seasons, Zion has played only 85 games. Despite his good performance in the NBA, Zion averaged 25.7 points, seven rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in his career. But Zion's "glass man" attribute still made him suffer a lot of doubts.
At the Pelicans' end-of-season press conference, Zion formally clarified. He said: "I think I'm fine and could have returned this season. But the team, the coaching staff and the management decided to let me continue to rest, and they thought it was the best option. ”
Pelican fans should remember that Zion staged violent dunks at home several times during the playoffs. In the play-offs with the Spurs, Zion staged a 360-degree turn before the big windmill dunk. In the G4 match against the Suns, Zion staged a crotch big windmill dunk again before the game.
Through Zion's two dunks, we can get a glimpse of the leopard, that is, his body has healed, there is no injury effect. However, pelican management is thinking about the long term. Don't dare to let Zion come back in the playoffs, playoffs and other high-intensity confrontational games.
However, Zion also gave Pelican fans a reassurance pill. At the press conference, he expressed his desire to renew his contract with the Pelicans. According to salary expert Yossi Gozlan, Zion was able to sign a $185.7 million contract with the Pelicans that lasted into the 26-27 season, and the Pelicans could include in their contracts if Zion was selected to the Best Team next season (1-3 teams) the maximum salary reached $222.9 million for five years.