Report: Pelicans ‘Very Happy’ With Zion Williamson’s Work To Improve Conditioning

According to NBA reporter William Guillory of The Athletic, the New Orleans Pelicans are very happy with Zion Williamson’s work to improve his conditioning.

Guillory, who covers the Pelicans, doesn’t expect New Orleans to trade Williamson.

“Based on conversations I’ve had in recent weeks, several of the Pelicans higher-ups have been very happy with Williamson’s work behind the scenes to improve his conditioning and performance on the court,” Guillory wrote. “While nothing is off the table in a post-Luka Dončić-to-Lakers world, I’d be surprised if Williamson isn’t a member of the Pelicans after Thursday’s deadline.”

The Pelicans traded Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 top-4 protected first-round pick (via Indiana) and an additional second-round pick. The deal came after Dejounte Murray underwent season-ending surgery for a torn Achilles. 

Williamson, Ingram and Murray never played a single minute together because of their various injuries and ailments

Williamson has only appeared in 15 games this season. He’s averaging 23.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 51.8% from the field and 64.8% from the free-throw line. 

The Pelicans drafted Williamson with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke. Williamson has career averages of 24.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He’s only played in 199 NBA games. 

New Orleans has the worst record in the Western Conference. The team is only 12-39.

“The Pelicans achieved one of their primary goals going into Ingram negotiations, according to league sources: shedding salary from an already expensive roster ahead of the 2025-26 season,” Guillory wrote. “Olynyk accounts for $13.4 million next season, but multiple league sources say the Pelicans are exploring the possibility of moving him before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline. Williamson, Murray, Murphy, McCollum and Jones already account for over $140 million on next year’s books. Throw in a top-5 pick, and that number will jump by nearly another $10 million.”