When the New Orleans Pelicans chose Zion Williamson to represent the franchise at the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, many may have assumed it was simply a publicity move, a way to put a recognizable star in front of the cameras.
However, the decision went beyond optics. By selecting Williamson for the event, the Pelicans sent a clear message: they remain invested in him as a central piece of their future.
Joe Dumars, the newly appointed head of basketball operations in New Orleans, appears determined to make the relationship between Williamson and the franchise work.
Despite ongoing speculation and rumors about a possible trade, particularly as the offseason approaches, Dumars is reportedly committed to building around Williamson and giving him another chance to lead the team as its cornerstone player.
Williamson is still under contract for three more seasons, with $126.5 million left on the five-year maximum extension he signed back in 2022.
Importantly, the final three years of that contract are not fully guaranteed; they include team-friendly protections, put in place due to Williamson’s injury history, which has limited his availability since he entered the league.
Notably, those protections would remain intact even if Williamson were traded, making his contract more manageable for any team willing to take the risk.
Ultimately, by placing him front and center at the Draft Lottery, the Pelicans reaffirmed their belief in Williamson’s potential and their hope that he can still become the franchise player they envisioned when they drafted him first overall.
Joe Dumars, Pelicans Want To Make Things Work With Zion Williamson https://t.co/0iQbsDjaol
— RealGM (@RealGM) May 18, 2025
