The 2022-23 NBA season is slowly shifting gears as many teams in the league are preparing themselves for the postseason. The mid-season trades put life back into the league, as there might not be an outright favorite this season. However, quite some teams in both conferences expected better results than they have been able to churn out. The New Orleans Pelicans are one such team, whose mediocre performances have let them down. They find themselves moving farther away from the playoff spots as the season moves on.

Zion Williamson and co. have had a major letdown this season. Additionally, calling them ‘Zion Williamson and co.’ isn’t quite fair, as their star players’ struggles with injuries have forced them to play without him for the majority of their campaign. After a controversial NBA analyst pointed out the problem and suggested a possible solution for the ‘Williamson problem’, fans let their feelings known on social media.

Zion Williamson and where are the New Orleans Pelicans heading

The 2019 #1 draft pick has been seen limping around in the league quite often. The 22-year-old star barged into the league with a lot of promise, even becoming the fourth youngest All-Star ever.

However, as days go on, the patience is thinning, and even though he might still be the talented youngster he once was, there are doubts popping around about his career. The biggest question that plagues everyone’s mind is if Williamson is just another #1 draft pick bust.

The youngster missed the entirety of last season after having surgery on a broken foot. Additionally, the Pelicans star missed the first 44 games of his rookie season due to a meniscus tear. The 6’6 monster has missed quite a few games in his short career, and it seems like a recurring issue.

The Pelicans star played his last game in the NBA on January 2nd, in a loss against the Philadelphia 76ers. Since then, he has been sidelined due to a hamstring problem. The Pelicans went from average to poor from that point onwards, as they have a 12-24 record after that.

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Considering all the developments, Kendrick Perkins, the former Boston Celtics center turned NBA analyst, gave a solution for the 22-year-old’s injury problems. Perkins has never been known to be popular with the fans, as the majority disagree with him. However, this time it feels like he has divided the fans into two groups, with some vehemently agreeing with the 38-year-old NBA veteran.

Kendrick Perkins’ bold suggestion divides Pelicans fans in two

Perkins suggested that Williamson and his journey with the Pelicans should come to a halt. The NBA analyst’s opinion was based on the numerous injuries faced by the 2019 #1 draft pick, as he has played a mere 114 games in four seasons in the league. 

“I would trade him[Zion Williamson],” said Perkins on NBA Today on ESPN. He further added, “I would find someone and trade him because again, can you trust him to be your franchise guy? And since he came in the league, No. Because you can’t trust that he’s gonna be available on the floor.“

His statement divided the fans in two, as some believed in Williamson’s capabilities as seen in whatever time he has played, while others have just run out of patience. Here are the reactions.

With the Playoffs inching closer, the Pelicans will be looking forward to making the postseason. If not, some serious questions may need to be asked within the franchise.

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What are your thoughts on Perkins’ statement? Let us know in the comments.