METAIRIE, Louisiana– The New Orleans Pelicans are doubling down on injury-plagued, sixth-year pro Zion Williamson, hoping he can be a more reliable and productive centerpiece in the years to come in the NBA.

The New Orleans Pelicans made it through the NBA trade deadline without dealing Zion Williamson, although co-star Brandon Ingram was a victim of the league's craziest deadline ever. With Ingram getting traded to the Toronto Raptors, Williamson becomes the undoubted superstar in New Orleans, but that comes with some heavier expectations.

A few dead teams across the NBA are essentially playing for pride the rest of the way—New Orleans is one of said teams. A forgettable 2024-25 campaign began in the preseason when Dejounte Murray suffered the team’s first significant injury.