Pelicans news: Zion Williamson weight watch is on after completing Joe Dumars’ challenge

The New Orleans Pelicans are preparing for the 2026-27 season, aiming to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Central to their success is star forward Zion Williamson, who has faced various injuries throughout his career. In an effort to bolster the team, new general manager Joe Dumars has given Williamson two tasks: to improve his fitness and expand his offensive skills by increasing his jump shot attempts.

Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has shown promise but has yet to realize his full potential. Over his career, he has played a career-high of 70 games and averaged impressive stats, including 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. His shooting percentages were also noteworthy, with 60% from the field, 25% from the three-point line, and 71.6% from the free-throw line.

With Jamahl Mosley set to become the Pelicans' new head coach, the team is focusing on regaining its footing after missing the playoffs for the past two years. The roster remains largely unchanged from last season, with the addition of Bennedict Mathurin as a notable newcomer.