Report: Zion Williamson At His Lightest Weight Since Getting Drafted By Pelicans

According to NBA reporter Michael C. Wright of ESPN, Zion Williamson is at his lightest weight since getting drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans. 

The Pelicans drafted Williamson with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke. The lefty has had weight, injury and conditioning issues with New Orleans, but Williamson seems to be turning a corner. 

Excited to see how Zion Williamson looks. Heard he weighed 264 just two days ago, which would register as his lightest weight since the Pels drafted him.

— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) February 24, 2025

Williamson has appeared in 20 games this season for the Pelicans. He’s averaging 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 55.2% from the field, 25.0% from beyond the arc and 64.6% from the free-throw line. 

A two-time All-Star, Williamson has career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He’s making $36,725,670 this season and will make $39,446,090 next season. 

Williamson, who turns 25 in July, has always been a talented offensive player when he’s been healthy, but the youngster is looking to improve defensively. 

“I’m feeling like I don’t have to exert as much energy to get to a certain speed. I feel my moves are more swift. I definitely see the difference,” Williamson said in January. “My movements are swifter. So when someone tries to change directions, I can beat them to the spot.” 

Added Jose Alvarado: “He takes pride in it. He comes to the bench and he says, ‘I got it. You don’t need to do all that extra stuff to help me.’ When it comes to defense, I think what’s most important is do you want to do it and do you have pride. Then, the rest of it will take care of itself.”

The Pelicans are only 14-43. They have the worst record in the Western Conference. The franchise traded small forward Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors at the NBA trade deadline and lost point guard Dejounte Murray to a season-ending Achilles injury.