Zion Williamson is feeling motivated this season under the leadership of former Detroit Pistons player Joe Dumars as the upcoming NBA season approaches.
As the clock counts down for the upcoming 2025-26 basketball season, the power forward believes he’s ready for his seventh season. Although there’s no prediction that the New Orleans Pelicans will have a great season following their 21-61 record last season, the staff and players are excited to see the progress that Williamson has made in the offseason.
Zion Williamson was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft
According to USA Today, the Duke alum was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. In 2022, he signed a maximum extension and remains under contract for three more seasons. Williamson recently opened up about his feelings going into this year.
“I haven’t felt like this since college, high school,” he said at Tuesday’s press conference.
Williamson also spoke about his summer mission, emphasizing the importance of building stronger bonds with Durmars, Weaver and other mentors while sharpening his “focus” on the fundamentals of the game.
“I feel really good going into the season. The focus in this past summer was, you know, build a relationship with Joe and Trey and just stay locked in on the game,” he said.
Williamson also expressed that Durmas has been honest and direct about what his mindset needs to be as a leader of the roster since he was selected as the new vice president for basketball operations executive in April.
“I like Joe. What you see is what you get. He’s going to hold me accountable and as he holds me accountable, he’s going to give me a lot of responsibilities as well,” Williamson told the press. “I’m excited for it and I look forward to it. I know he’s going to hold me to a really high standard and if I slip up or anything, I know he’s going to be right there to make sure I get right back on path.”
“It helped a lot that they believed in me,” he continued, also shouting out Weaver.
Are the New Orleans Pelicans seeing a new Zion Williamson take shape?
The front office, coaching staff and Williamson’s teammates are impressed by his reinvigorated work ethic and improvements since Durmas. His colleague Trey Murphy III called out how he’s in better shape, saying, he’s “slimmer than I have ever seen him during the summertime.”
This is exciting news for Pelicans fans because during Williamson’s time in the league, his physical condition and participation have also been mentioned, as his schedule hasn’t been the easiest to accommodate. Additionally, he hasn’t spent as much time on the court as many would’ve thought. He has only played more than 30 games in two seasons, with last year not being one of them. Due to injuries to his back and hamstrings, he only played 30 games during the 2024-25 season.
Williamson and the Pelicans will take the floor on Oct. 2 for their first preseason matchup against the NBL’s Melbourne United before starting the 2025–26 regular season on Oct. 21.
