No hope left! Goodbye Zion! Injured for the second time this season

Still attempting dunks?

Injured once more,Zion has sustained a right adductor injury and will undergo a follow-up examination in three weeks.

This is Zion’s second extended injury absence this season; last time it was a Grade 1 hamstring strain in his left leg that kept him out for nearly half a month before returning. This time, the recovery period will be nearly double that.

Statistics show that Zion has missed 54.7% of regular-season games throughout his career, earning $84.2 million while injured—truly a nightmare for owners and a model for slackers on the payroll.

So far,the Pelicans have managed only 3 wins and 19 losses, ranking last in both the Western Conference and the league. Zion has played in 10 out of 22 games, averaging 30.9 minutes, contributing 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3.1 turnovers, and 1.6 steals per game, with a 51% field goal percentage and 72.3% from the free-throw line. He attempted 3 three-pointers and missed them all.

At 25 years old and in his seventh NBA season, Zion (the 2019 first overall pick) still hasn’t developed a reliable shooting skill. Considering he is only 1.98 meters tall playing inside, relying solely on athleticism limits his ceiling and increases injury risk. He might follow the same path as the 2016 top pick Simmons, fading out of the league before turning 30.

Zion’s current contract runs through the summer of 2028, with a salary of $39.45 million this season,and non-guaranteed salaries of $42.17 million in 2026-27 and $44.89 million in 2027-28,meaning the Pelicans could waive him next summer without any financial penalty if they choose.

Of course, “cutting Zion” is an extreme measure and unlikely to happen. However, it’s clear he’s no longer untouchable for the Pelicans. A trade could happen midseason, even if it only nets a second-round pick, which would be better than releasing him outright.

Which team is eager to acquire Zion? Seems like none...

If Zion can’t be traded and the Pelicans lose patience and decide to rebuild, as mentioned, they might have no choice but to waive him and let him enter free agency early to fend for himself.

By the way, Zion’s fellow 2019 lottery pick Morant was already injured before him. Morant has a Grade 1 right calf strain and has missed eight consecutive games. So far this season, he has played 12 games, averaging 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 3.8 turnovers, and 1 steal per game, with shooting percentages of 35.9% and 16.7%.