Zion Williamson has undeniably established himself as the centerpiece of the New Orleans Pelicans over the past six seasons – a role that shows no signs of changing anytime soon. His journey with the franchise has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, filled with both exhilarating highs and frustrating lows.
Recently, Joe Dumars, who stepped into the role of executive vice president of basketball operations for the Pelicans this past April, shared his vision for Williamson in an insightful interview. Dumars emphasized the importance of his relationship with Zion, mentioning that they’ve connected over meals and even shared moments watching playoff games together. “I’ve had some real honest conversations with Zion,” Dumars remarked. “We’re going to go forward with Zion. He’s going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward.”
Dumars and Williamson also connected during the NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, where Dumars saw an opportunity to instill a sense of responsibility in Zion. “I sent him to the lottery for a reason,” he explained, stressing the need for Williamson to embrace his role as the franchise’s star player. “There are some responsibilities that come with that. Go represent your organization.”
This commitment to Williamson comes at a time when the forward’s life in New Orleans has been overshadowed by a significant legal situation—a lawsuit surrounding allegations from 2020. While Dumars chose to remain tight-lipped about the legal matters, stating, “I’ve been advised not to venture into any of his legal issues,” the implications are understood by all involved.
Owner Gayle Benson also addressed the lawsuit, expressing a candid perspective, saying, “You really can’t … You don’t know. I mean people can sue you for anything. It’s just something that people do, unfortunately.”
In terms of his on-court contributions, Williamson’s tenure has been marred by injuries, a factor that has limited his appearances to just 214 games throughout his career. Despite only playing in 30 games this past season—during which he averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and a career-best 5.3 assists—his impact is still felt, and expectations remain sky-high.
Dumars emphasized that they have had direct conversations about accountability and expectations for Williamson moving forward, reiterating, “That’s our plan going forward with Zion.”
Turning to the coaching side of things, Dumars confirmed that Willie Green will remain as the head coach despite a challenging season that culminated in a 21-61 record—the second-fewest wins in franchise history. Green, who has a mixed track record across his four seasons with the team, including leading the Pelicans to the playoffs twice, will look to turn the tide next season.
Dumars approached the decision with caution, acknowledging that he needed to gather insights first. “It’s hard for me to come in here and say ‘here’s how I assessed Willie last year,'” he admitted. “All I can do is move forward and guide and create and lead… I was pleased with what I heard. I’m looking forward to going forward and working with Willie to push us to success.”
As the Pelicans embark on this next chapter, the focus will undoubtedly be on maximizing Zion Williamson’s potential while navigating the complexities surrounding him. With Dumars at the helm and a clear vision, the franchise is preparing to shift gears, aiming to create a more successful future built around their cornerstone player.
