It's now or never for Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson entered the NBA with unfair expectations on his shoulders. He was the first genuine star of the high school highlight era and built on that popularity during his one-year stint with Duke. However, right now, he's at risk of becoming the most high-profile draft bust in NBA history.

Williamson entered the NBA as the top pick in the 2019 draft. Since then, he's spent more time in the headlines than he has on the court. From weight management issues to off-court scandals, Williamson has rarely been the subject of praise for his undoubted basketball skills.

Now, at 25 years old, entering his seventh season in the league, he's at a crossroads. Williamson can still prove himself to be a top-10 or top-15 player in the NBA. His elite strength, second jump and athleticism give him tools other players can only dream of. It's the professionalism side of the game that he needs to embrace if he's going to change his narrative.

During a recent interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Joe Dumars shared a similar sentiment.

“The first thing I would say about Zion is he’s an incredibly good guy,” Dumars said. "...I’ve talked to him about the responsibility of being great and the responsibility of being a leader, of being a captain, of being the best player, of being the face of a franchise. I’ve talked to him about how all of those things come with responsibility and how it’s time now at 25 years old to embrace those responsibilities.”

If Williamson can lock in and focus on becoming a great basketball player, he can still turn his career around. For all the rumors of him wanting to be in a bigger market, he hasn't shown the level of commitment needed to entice those sorts of franchises. This season, if he wants it to be, can act as a turning point.

Dumars has re-tooled the roster in New Orleans. Williamson is once again the focal point of the franchise. Unfortunately for him, Dumars doesn't have the same attachment that David Griffin had. Therefore, if he doesn't adjust, he could find himself being sent elsewhere.

Williamson came into the league billed as the next great superstar. So far, we've received nothing but disappointment. Yet, with new leadership in the Pelicans front office, maybe now will be the turning point. Of course, we've heard all of this and said all of this before. The ball is well and truly in Williamson's court, metaphorically and literally.