Jake Madison here, the host of the daily Locked On Pelicans podcast, with your daily Locked On Pelicans newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pelicans and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Zion Williamson’s Injury: A Crossroads for the Pelicans
Photo by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Zion Williamson’s recent hamstring injury has reignited a critical conversation about his future with the New Orleans Pelicans. As a Pelicans insider, I’ve seen firsthand the dedication Zion has shown in preparing for this season. He was in excellent shape, focused on preventative care, and committed to maintaining his health. Yet, despite these efforts, another significant injury has occurred, marking his fourth major hamstring issue.
This situation is frustrating for everyone involved. Zion has done everything right, yet his body continues to betray him. It’s a blameless scenario, but it raises questions about the sustainability of building a team around a player who struggles to stay on the court. Zion’s talent is undeniable, but availability is crucial in the NBA. If he can’t play consistently, the Pelicans must consider their options.
The Path Forward for Zion
Zion needs to exhaust every possible avenue to prevent future injuries. This means investing in personal trainers, nutritionists, and any other resources that can help him maintain his health. It’s a significant commitment, but necessary if he wants a long and successful NBA career. The Pelicans, too, must evaluate their role in supporting Zion’s health journey. They revamped their medical staff last year, which led to a healthier season, but the current situation suggests more needs to be done.
The Pelicans face a tough decision. Do they continue to build around Zion, hoping his health issues can be resolved, or do they consider moving on? This isn’t just a decision for the front office; it’s one that ownership must weigh heavily. The fan base’s patience is wearing thin, and the team must decide if they can continue to rely on a player who, despite his best efforts, remains injury-prone.
Evaluating the Pelicans’ Future
The Pelicans’ current predicament is a classic case of “going down with the ship.” They have invested heavily in Zion, and while it was the right move at the time, circumstances have changed. The team is struggling, and Zion’s absence is a significant factor. If the season doesn’t turn around, the Pelicans may need to consider a fresh start, possibly involving a roster overhaul.
This isn’t a decision to be made lightly. Trading Zion would be a monumental shift, one that could reshape the franchise’s future. However, if the Pelicans want to build a competitive team, they must address the elephant in the room: Zion’s health. It’s a delicate balance between loyalty to a player and the practicalities of building a winning team.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Zion Williamson’s situation, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
- Jose Alvarado’s injury and its implications
- The Pelicans’ upcoming schedule challenges
- Potential strategies for the Pelicans moving forward
Klay Thompson’s homecoming to The Bay started well before he hit the floor last night at Oracle with the Mavs and roughly 19,000 fans started waving nautical Captain hats.
It started mid-way through last season, when Golden State didn’t signal they’d immediately be resigning Thompson as the franchise had, up to then, always been in a hurry to. There were shades of it along with Thompson’s frustrations in his game changing, the splashy shots not falling as fluidly as they used to. Clues came in the way the Warriors felt their frustrations as a team: once together, a cohesive unit, and then splintering and individually.
“Even from July, when Klay decided to go to Dallas to us showing up for training camp and him not being here, it was kind of like a slow build to this night for everybody,” Warriors point guard, Steph Curry, said after last night’s game.
Basketball isn’t played in a vacuum, and Curry sharing the psychic and emotional timeline of the team underscores that in a rare glimpse behind the curtain. Sometimes its brightest full-circle moments have to struggle through discomfort, angst and loss in order to come back around. Often, the storylines with the most ups and downs are the ones that end the most cathartically.
Since this season began, Thompson’s been candid about how necessary the move to Dallas was for him. “Every pro athlete’s human, and uncertainty can bear on you,” he told ESPN prior to Tuesday night’s homecoming game.
“Honestly, it’s rejuvenated me and done something I needed bad just for my mental [state] and my career,” Thompson said.
It’s a knife’s edge between animosity for an athlete’s who’s left a franchise they share a storied history with and sympathy for their decision. What tips fans to one side or the other can skew personal, so isn’t always easy to predict, but Thompson’s tendency toward honesty helps. He’s always been someone who wears what he’s feeling on the floor openly, and for that fans — for the most part — respond with empathy. There’s a sense that through all the years he played for the Warriors there was an open conduit of conversation between him and the fanbase.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Legacy Klay Thompson feels “free” after his late-career move to Dallas. (ESPN)
Injury Jose Alvarado is the latest Pelicans player to suffer an injury. This adds to the growing list of injured team members, affecting the Pelicans’ depth and performance.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Takeaways From Tuesday - Robert Williams Day
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) shoots the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during the first half at Moda Center. |Photo by Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA games offered a wealth of insights for fantasy basketball managers. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways and strategic moves you should consider:
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
- Grant Williams: With his move to the starting lineup, Williams is a viable short-term pickup, especially while the Hornets deal with injuries. His ability to contribute in multiple categories makes him a solid addition in deeper leagues.
- Moussa Diabate: Diabate’s rebounding prowess is noteworthy, especially with the Hornets’ frontcourt injuries. He’s a strong option for those in need of rebounds in deeper formats.
- Franz Wagner: Wagner’s performance underscores his value, particularly with Paolo Banchero out. Consider selling high if you can get a top-tier player in return, as his current production may dip once Banchero returns.
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons
- Tyler Herro: After a 40-point explosion, Herro is a prime sell-high candidate. His shooting percentages are unlikely to sustain, so capitalise on his current form to bolster your roster.
- Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey: Both players showed their potential to fill the stat sheet. Cunningham remains a must-start, while Ivey’s bounce-back game suggests he’s worth holding onto for his upside.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pelicans podcasts.
Why Willie Green’s coaching is under fire for New Orleans Pelicans crunch time loss to Brooklyn Nets Can the New Orleans Pelicans Overcome Their Crunch Time Struggles? The New Orleans Pelicans faced a tough loss to the Brooklyn Nets, falling 107-105 after failing to score in the final 3 and a half minutes. This game highlighted ongoing issues with their offensive execution and shot selection during critical moments.
Zion Williamson’s injury: What it means for New Orleans Pelicans Zion Williamson’s injury woes continue to plague the New Orleans Pelicans, as the star player faces an indefinite absence due to a left hamstring strain. With the Pelicans struggling offensively, ranking 24th in offense and 30th in defense, can they overcome these challenges in the competitive NBA landscape?
How the New Orleans Pelicans can make the most of Brandon Boston Jr and Yves Missi Can the New Orleans Pelicans Overcome Their Offensive Woes? Injuries have plagued the New Orleans Pelicans, impacting their ability to execute a fast-paced offense akin to the Cleveland Cavaliers. With key players like Dejounte Murray and Herb Jones sidelined, the Pelicans struggle to find their rhythm.
