Latest on Pelicans GM Joe Dumars' Plans for Zion Williamson

The New Orleans Pelicans' latest team president, former Hall of Fame Detroit Pistons shooting guard Joe Dumars, wasted little time in reshaping his roster over the summer.

Dumars made some controversial draft night moves, selecting guard Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick out of Oklahoma and then trading up 10 positions in the draft with the Atlanta Hawks to land the rights to the No. 13 selection, which he used on Maryland center Derick Queen. Acquiring Queen, an exciting big man prospect, was in and of itself a widely applauded move, but the issue was what Dumars gave up. He surrendered the Pelicans' unprotected first-round draft pick in what is supposed to be a stacked 2026 NBA draft.

Dumars also traded awaying steady veteran combo guard CJ McCollum to the Washington Wizards for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, and the draft rights to No. 40 pick Micah Peavy. The Pelicans also signed free agent center Kevon Looney.

So what will Dumars do about New Orleans' best player, perpetually injured two-time All-Star power forward Zion Williamson?

A source has informed longtime NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson that Dumars still has high hopes for the 6-foot-6 Duke product, despite a checkered health history.

“Joe is holding Zion accountable, but in a way that empowers him,” a source told Robinson. “Zion’s responding well. This is the best he’s been mentally his entire career.”

Williamson, still just 25, has been hounded by injury and off-court issues throughout most of his career. He has missed 52 or more games in four of his six NBA seasons. Across his 30 healthy contests in 2024-25, Williamson did rack up numbers, averaging 24.6 points on 56.7% field goal shooting and 65.6% free throw shooting, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks.

But his inconsistent health has upended the Pelicans' title aspirations. After finishing with a 49-33 record in 2023-24 when Williamson played 70 contests, New Orleans tumbled down the standings last year, posting a miserable 21-61 record.

“He understands what’s expected,” the source added. “And with Dumars there, the message is clear: the franchise is building around you, but you have to meet the moment.”

New Orleans has one open standard roster spot. Robinson reports that Dumars wants to keep it open for maximum flexibility.

“They like this group,” another source tells Robinson. “There’s a belief that continuity matters, and a focus right now on internal development and chemistry.”