During an interview with NBA reporter Joe Mistretta of ClutchPoints, New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard CJ McCollum was asked to give his thoughts on Zion Williamson, who is healthy again after only playing in 29 games last season.
McCollum believes Williamson can win the MVP Award, among other accolades.
“I’m unsure what his ceiling is, but I think his ceiling is definitely All-Star, MVP, All-NBA First-Team,” McCollum said about Williamson. “Which is as good as it gets. So I’d say he’s as good as it gets when he’s healthy and is able to put together a full season, so I’m looking forward to seeing him do just that.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: CJ McCollum, Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Williamson’s diet and commitment to basketball have been questioned by many since he’s only played 114 out of a possible 308 regular-season games since being drafted by the Pelicans with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke. Williamson played in 24 games in his rookie year and 61 games in his sophomore year. The lefty missed his entire third year and appeared in just 29 games last season.
Williamson averaged 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists last season. The two-time All-Star brought in medical experts to implement extensive evaluations of his body and craft the best plan to ensure he’s durable enough to last for an 82-game season in the offseason, according to NBA insider Will Guillory of The Athletic.
Williamson, who signed a five-year, $194.3 million designated rookie contract extension in July 2022, has career averages of 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists with the Pelicans. If he doesn’t stay healthy this season, Williamson could be on the move and some team could take a gamble by trading for him since he’s a special talent.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: CJ McCollum, Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
For the Pelicans to make the playoffs this season, Williamson and McCollum will have to play very well. McCollum averaged 20.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Pelicans last season. The 2015-16 NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year signed a two-year, $64 million veteran contract extension with New Orleans in September 2022.
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