Zion Williamson opened Pelicans media day looking lighter, sharper, and more openly self-critical than in past seasons. He is listed at 277 pounds, which is seven pounds below last year and the first time the number next to his name has changed after seven straight seasons at 284.
That shift matters because Williamson’s career has long been defined by what he could become versus how often he could stay on the court. He entered the NBA as the first overall pick in 2019, has missed 278 games, and sat out the entire 2021-22 season, yet his scoring talent has never been in doubt.
The Work Behind the Lower Number
The weight drop is only part of the story. What the Pelicans seem to value even more is the process that produced it, with Joe Dumars describing Williamson as arriving in “impeccable condition” and stressing that availability depends on more than raw talent.
For New Orleans, this is about habits, not a single summer. A player who spends years at the same listed weight and then finally shows movement sends a different message to a team that has waited through injuries, setbacks, and constant uncertainty.
- Listed weight: 277 pounds
- Previous listed weight: 284 pounds
- Games missed in his career: 278
- Career scoring average: nearly 24 points per game
- Current contract: two years remaining on his max deal
A Different Mindset Around the Shot and the Season
Williamson said the change has been as much mental as physical. He split time between New Orleans and South Carolina during the offseason, worked with new voices, and said he now trusts the preparation behind his game more than he did before.
That confidence is showing up in a surprising place: his perimeter jumper. Defences have often dared him to take it, and his response was simple, saying that if one misses, the next one will go down.
He also delivered a blunt assessment of where he stands right now, making it clear that better shape does not mean complete satisfaction. In his own words, he is still not where he wants to be, and not yet where he needs to be.
Another Coach, Another Reset
This season also brings a new voice on the sideline. Jamahl Mosley is Williamson’s fifth head coach, and the former Orlando leader arrives with a reputation for player relationships, defensive structure, and steady progress.
Mosley went 189-221 with the Magic, inherited a 21-win roster, and reached the playoffs in each of his last three seasons there. He has already been hands-on with his new group, travelling in the offseason to meet players face to face and begin building trust early.
Williamson said Mosley checks in regularly and treats players like people first, which matters for someone who has lived through so much turnover. At the same time, Mosley wants more than highlight plays from his best scorer.
What Mosley wants from Williamson
- More versatility on offence
- Better playmaking for teammates
- A harder-to-predict scoring profile
- Stronger impact beyond pure shot creation
The coach’s central challenge is straightforward: make the players around Williamson better, not just get more points from him. That question may define how the next stage of his career looks.
Why the Contract Talk Can Wait
Williamson is eligible for an extension this season, but there is no urgency on either side. Dumars said the team wants to see how the year unfolds before opening serious talks, and Williamson agreed that winning has to come first.
The Pelicans are trying to climb out of a difficult stretch after finishing 26-56 last season, their second straight year below 27 wins. The front office kept most of the roster intact, added wing scorer Bennedict Mathurin, and gets Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Dejounte Murray back with improved health after all three missed time a year ago.
| Key area | Current situation |
|---|---|
| Williamson’s listed weight | 277 pounds |
| Games missed in his career | 278 |
| Pelicans last season | 26-56 |
| Head coaches so far | 5, including Mosley |
| Time left on his max deal | Two seasons |
The first practice of camp began on Tuesday, and the mood around Williamson feels more measured than flashy. If he can stay healthy and carry this lighter frame into the season, the Pelicans’ ceiling changes fast.
His biggest personal goal is also the simplest: he wants to still be wearing a Pelicans uniform when April arrives and the playoffs begin. For a player whose career has often been measured in what might have been, that would be a meaningful step toward turning promise into proof.
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