NBA: Top Rookie Undergoing Adjustments Before Springing Back to Action

KEY POINTS

Zion Williamson is not returning anytime soon for the Pelicans
The Pelicans are helping Williamson make the necessary adjustments to his playing weight
Williamson has yet to do full practice sessions

Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans knows that he could help boost his team's campaign had he been healthy. Instead, the top rookie of the 2019 NBA Draft is in the sidelines as he recovers from a knee injury. As of this writing, there is no telling when the 19-year-old will play his first official NBA game.

According to a previous report, one issue about Williamson is his playing weight. For his height (6-foot-6), he is terribly overweight. In fact, he is the second heaviest player in the league behind Boban Marjanovic. The former Duke Blue Devil wowed everyone during the preseason, but it remains he needs to shed off some pounds.

There is no telling when Williamson can trim down. Regardless, the Pelicans are working with him to prevent future injuries. That includes adjustments to his walking and running style, ESPN reported. To do that, New Orleans is working on the kinetic chain of his body.

It will be a long road to recovery for Williamson. He has participated in individual and group drills but has yet to join 5-on-5 or 3-on-3 drills. He is likely to join practices by 2020 and decide when he is fit to play from there. The Pels are employing a cautious approach on Williamson, aware that they need to address some facets of his game.

“He is making progress. He is in rehab,” coach Alvin Gentry said of Williamson. “He is doing everything that he’s supposed to do and he’s moving forward toward playing.”

The Pelicans are dwelling in the cellar, barely ahead of the spiraling Golden State Warriors. Brandon Ingram has been carrying the load but it remains that he cannot do it alone. Jrue Holiday has not lived up to expectations, same with other players like Lonzo Ball or Josh Hart. There could be roster moves happening by the NBA trade deadline with the Pelicans possibly thinking ahead. It will take a major miracle for them to turn things around this 2019-20 season.

Holiday, Ball and Hart are among the names being mentioned in the NBA trade rumor mill. Gentry's future as head coach is also on the line. As one can see, the Pelicans are rebuilding in what could turn out to be a major overhaul moving forward.