Should Zion Williamson be viewed as a "bust"?

For the fourth time in Zion Williamson's six-year career, his season has been significantly shortened due to injury. This ongoing issue has severely hindered the Pelicans' ability to build a team around him because he cannot remain consistently healthy. When he is healthy, Zion is one of the most exciting players in the NBA; however, if his health problems persist, the Pelicans may never realize the returns they anticipated when they drafted him.

In Zion's two healthiest seasons, he played 61 and 70 games. His best performance came in the 2020-21 season, during which he averaged a career-high of 27 points per game. Although he has averaged at least 22 points in every season of his career, excluding the 2021-22 season—where he missed all 82 games—his overall career has been disappointing. With the immense hype he received in high school, he was expected to be a generational talent. Additionally, as discussions around who will be the next face of the NBA continue to be a polarizing topic, it's easy to overlook how Zion once seemed destined to claim that title.

Zion Williamson possesses immense talent, which means there is still hope for his future. However, as he approaches the 2025-2026 season, he will face the most pressure of his career. At just 24 years old, he still has several years until reaching his prime, but it's uncertain whether he can be relied upon as a franchise player. If he can step up and fulfill that role, it would not only benefit Zion and the Pelicans but also provide a significant boost to the NBA by allowing a player of his caliber to reach his full potential.

When the Pelicans won the Zion sweepstakes, they anticipated gaining a player who could become the best in his generation. Unfortunately, injuries have kept Zion off the court for significant stretches, allowing other star players from the 2019 draft class—such as Ja Morant, Darius Garland, and Tyler Herro—to achieve more success. These players have each led their teams to the playoffs multiple times. In contrast, Zion has either been unavailable come playoff time due to his health or has seen the Pelicans miss the playoffs altogether because they haven't had their best player on the floor. For Zion to truly overcome his doubters, staying healthy alone will not be enough; he also has to lead the Pelicans to success come playoff time.

Zion Williamson's future hangs in the balance, as his next few seasons could determine whether he is ultimately seen as a "what if" story or, at worst, a "bust." At this stage in his career, it is evident that Zion needs to remain committed to his physical health, which was a struggle for him earlier on. His rookie contract extension, signed in 2022, included clauses pertaining to his weight and body fat. Although his season was once again cut short due to injury, it was noticeable that Zion appeared to be in the best shape he had been since his time at Duke. With a lot riding on next season, he has an opportunity to change the narrative and become the player he is truly capable of being.