Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans recently suffered a setback in his rehab process and his return to the court has been delayed – again.
Williamson has not played a single game this season and his Pelicans have suffered because of this.
The team is currently 8-21 and the worst team in the Western Conference.
As for Williamson, he can’t seem to catch a break and people are starting to wonder if he will ever be fully healthy.
The Right Foot Problem
Williamson’s latest injury has to do with this right foot, which was surgically repaired this summer after it was fractured in the offseason during a workout.
Zion Williamson is likely to be "shut down" from basketball activities as his right foot continues to be sore after surgery, per @ShamsCharania and @WillGuillory pic.twitter.com/zWkTvc9D5X
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 11, 2021
The team kept Williamson’s surgery a secret and information about when he will return has been also kept in the dark by the Pelicans organization.
It recently seemed like Williamson was on his way to recovery and he was even cleared for contact drills in mid-November and full basketball activities just a few weeks later.
But this newest injury suggests that it might be a long time before we ever see Williamson suit up again – and when he does it might not be with New Orleans.
Is It Trade Time?
There has been a lot of talk that Williamson is unhappy with this team and looking to be traded.
In fact, when he was spotted with a lot of excess weight before the season began, some thought he was purposely gaining pounds in order to be sent off the Pelicans.
There is no definitive proof that’s the case but the extra weight is surely not helping his foot heal.
This injury is just one of many for Williamson.
He made his debut season in 2019-20 but that was delayed until January because of a torn meniscus.
In the end, because of injuries and COVID, Williamson only played 24 games that season.
Last season, he played 61 of 72 games and was doing incredible work, creating 27 points a game on 61 percent shooting.
UNGUARDABLE💪🏽
Zion Williamson ties his career-high 36 PTS on 67% shootingHe's averaging 28 PTS, 5.2 REB, 4.7 AST on 69% shooting over his last 9 games. pic.twitter.com/5Eg9LhQBDg
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 18, 2021
But the right foot damage and surgery that followed is looking to be his most serious injury yet.
What Should New Orleans Do?
This all leaves New Orleans in a very tricky place: do they hold out hope that Williamson will still return at some point this season or do they assume this season is lost and perhaps blow up the rest of the team in hopes of building something for him to return to?
The Pelicans have a few great talents on their squad, such as Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas.
They could use those players in substantial trades and land some upcoming draft picks and try to once again build the future of the franchise around a healthy Williamson.
The problem is that no one knows when that healthy Williamson will return – or if he ever will.
There is a chance that the player that New Orleans has so much faith in will never play like he once did.
The secrecy and lack of information around Williamson suggest that this injury is very serious and will not go away easily.
Unfortunately, that leaves the Pelicans – and their fans – in the dark and waiting.
NEXT: Zion Williamson Alone Can't Save The Pelicans