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Zion Williamson’s seven-year run in New Orleans is the NBA’s greatest what-if story — and heading into 2026-27 it still hasn’t found its ending. Despite averaging 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting an absurd 60% from the field in his healthiest season in years, the Pelicans finished just 26-56 — their second straight season under 30 wins. Seven seasons as a Pelican, zero playoff games, 280 total missed games across his career — a legacy defined more by what could have been than what actually happened. New Orleans president Joe Dumars publicly declared “no intentions” of trading him this summer, but the organization’s inaction all offseason — zero major moves, a coaching hire, and nothing else — tells its own story. Zion himself acknowledged the reality with brutal honesty, telling reporters “I could be traded in the offseason, or I could be traded before the trade deadline. Not that I want that to happen. But that’s just the realism of it.” The one silver lining heading into next season is genuine — new assistant coach God Shammgod is reportedly working with Williamson all offseason on becoming a three-level scorer, which would completely transform his game and the Pelicans’ ceiling. One Western Conference executive summed up the league’s view perfectly: “Right now he’s a borderline All-Star who makes a lot of money. That’s the sort of player a lot of teams are now avoiding.” Generational talent, perpetual disappointment — and somehow entering year eight in the same city. DM for credit or removal; thank you! I do not own the rights to this content. All rights belong to their respective owners. #zionwilliamson #basketball