NBA Rumors: Pelicans VP Makes Zion Williamson Return Admission

The New Orleans Pelicans are hoping Zion Williamson finally joins his new co-stars soon.

Williamson has not returned to action to this day. The Pelicans are unlikely to make the playoffs this season but would still want to have the former no. 1 overall pick in their squad.

Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said they don’t “have enough information” about Williamson. However, the team hopes to have a clearer picture of the All-Star forward’s situation in the coming weeks.

"We hope that toward the end of next week or the beginning of the following, we’ll have some imaging done and we’ll have a better update," Griffin told Christian Clark of The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate.

Griffin confirmed Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon recently met with Williamson in person and had a private conversation.

Williamson broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot just before the NBA Summer League in August 2021. He has been sidelined since then, and recent reports said he is currently recovering in Oregon.

New Orleans head coach Willie Green had also previously said they are in constant “communication” with Williamson. However, there’s still “no further update” about his possible return.

“There’s been communication with [Zion], but right now, there’s no further update,” Green said. “He’s just gotta get healthy, and we’ll see where he is here shortly.”

With Williamson still out for an indefinite period of time, the Pelicans have brought in a new star in their squad. New Orleans reportedly has been scouting for Williamson’s new co-star and wound up trading for CJ McCollum before the trade deadline.

The multi-player trade saw McCollum, Tony Snell and Larry Nance Jr. leaving the Portland Trail Blazers for New Orleans. The Blazers, on the other hand, received Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky and Didi Louzada. The deal also included Portland getting two future second-round picks and a 2022 first-round pick.

Ahead of his Pelicans debut, McCollum said that he’s “excited” to play for his new team. More importantly, he admitted that he’s happy to be in a team “where there’s mutual admiration.”

“I'm very fortunate to be going somewhere where I'm wanted, needed and where there's mutual admiration," McCollum told reporters, including ESPN, on Thursday.

"I'm excited," he continued. "I'm thankful to have been in the league this long and have played with one organization this long. Looking forward to a new chapter. Looking forward to a new challenge and looking forward to playing with these young guys."