Zion Williamson can’t be franchise cornerstone for New Orleans Pelicans

Zion’s injury history should change how the Pelicans approach the offseason

Heading into the offseason, you can’t help but feel as if the New Orleans Pelicans’ approach should change. After another season of Zion proving that he can’t remain healthy, the team must evolve. If the team was beginning to build around Zion before, it’s not something that can continue to happen moving forward.

For as good as Zion is, there’s simply a better probability that he’s going to suffer another significant injury before he gets to a place where you feel comfortable with him being healthy. While you should never root for an injury to a player, you also can’t ignore the simple fact that Zion is, unfortunately, an injury-prone star that may never reach his ceiling.

Zion is averaging less than 30 games played per season throughout the first four years of his career. Not great.

So the Pelicans need to find their cornerstone and it can’t be Zion. You can have an argument about whether that is Brandon Ingram or if he’s going to continue to be a strong No. 2. The Pelicans can’t continue to build around Zion. It will only lead to further disappointment.