Apr 24, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green yells to his team on a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

'Sky’s the Limit for Him' – New Orleans Pelicans Coach Has High Hopes for Zion Williamson This Upcoming Season

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 21, 2025 9:38 AM ET

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green recently said that the team needs a breakout year from Zion Williamson if they are going to make noise in the Western Conference, and he believes that the two-time NBA All-Star is capable of doing so.

Speaking with WDSU News, Green stated that the New Orleans Pelicans have affirmed their belief in Williamson, as well as newcomer Jordan Poole, one of their marquee offseason acquisitions.

“We’re all aligned in our vision and what we believe Zion can do,” Green told WDSU News. “We like you said, Fletch, we’ve seen glimpses of Zion stepping out on the floor and being one of one, and now it’s just about doing it and being consistent. If he is, you know, sky’s the limit for him. But also our team.”

Mar 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Injuries continue to haunt Williamson. The New Orleans Pelicans forward only made 30 regular season appearances last season, having averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals on 56.7 percent shooting from the field.

New Orleans Pelicans draw poor future outlook in recent NBA rankings

ESPN analyst Tim Bontemps thinks that it will take time for the New Orleans Pelicans to turn their fortunes around under new president Joe Dumars, especially after they traded their unprotected 2026 first-round pick earlier this offseason.

Apr 16, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts with New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green on a time out in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers during a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

“It has been an eventful summer in New Orleans, where David Griffin was let go after running the team for several years and was replaced by Hall of Famer Joe Dumars,” Bontemps wrote.

“The Pelicans then made a massive draft night swing by taking not only Jeremiah Fears seventh overall, but trading an unprotected swap in next year’s draft to Atlanta to take Derik Queen 13th. That move could have ramifications for both teams for years to come. As a result, New Orleans has its lowest landing spot in 16 years of these rankings,” he concluded.