Is Zion Williamson working out away from the team the first step in him leaving?
Are the stars aligning for Zion Williamson to leave the New Orleans Pelicans?
Zion Williamson is still recovering from offseason foot surgery. There has been an update on his return as it has been reported that Zion will be rehabbing from his injury away from the team. The Pelicans will monitor Zion on his injury recovery in Portland.
It seems like we will most likely not see Zion this season as there have been multiple delays in his injury recovery. When you add the risk of reinjury with the rumors, he has gained weight, and the Pelicans having one of the worst records in the NBA. There is no real rush to get Zion back on the court, as this will be a lost year in many ways.
One key issue that the Pelicans should be worried about is Zion choosing to rehab away from the team. Even with another delay in his injury recovery, it is always odd when a player decides to workout away from their organization. Zion participated in 4-4 drills but was shut down with soreness in early December.
There have always been the rumblings that Zion might leave New Orleans, but that narrative always seemed more forced by the TV sports pundits. This move might be nothing. It could just be another way the Pelicans look to keep relations with Zion happy.
Many have to wonder if this could be the start of a potential exit from New Orleans for Zion. Often in any sport, when a star player chooses not to be a part of the team, it is cause for concern. Many European soccer players will leave their club to train with a former team during a transfer request. We have recently seen Ben Simmons choose not to be associated with the Philadelphia 76ers during his trade exile.
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While no trade request has been mentioned by Zion Williamson or his management, the Pelicans would not like to repeat history in having a recent No. 1 overall pick demand a trade. Could this recovery move be nothing? Or could Zion Williamson do what Anthony Davis did in New Orleans and demand a trade?