Zion is not expected to play this season [Shams]

[Lamak]

I knew he had health and weight concerns but didnt expect things to turn out like this

[My Main Man]

well maybe for a period of time (like the beginning of the season) but i can literally confirm it's not currently an issue. Go do some research instead of just blindly speculating, he's with the team again and he doesn't look overweight by any means. The reason he's out for the year is because he had setbacks with the healing of his foot, you can say initially that may have been caused by in part weight issues but that's clearly not the case now, especially considering he's been cleared to ramp up on court activity

Okay but that disputes your claim that "that's not the reason he couldn't play." It clearly was a major factor in his woes this year. Hopefully he can keep his weight under control this next year and actually play some basketball.

his actual foot injury is the reason he can't play, that's the point. We don't even know that it wasn't the initial injury itself that made him gain weight, like if he's playing their's not going to be a weight issue

This isn't some 190 lb average joe. He's 280 or so on his best days and has a nagging foot injury that has kept him out for an entire season so far. I'm about 200 lbs and when I've injured my feet/ankles, healing is rough. I can't imagine adding another 80-100 lbs and having a career that needs me to run and jump on hard ground for most of the year. There is a reason that big guys with foot injuries don't last a long time in the league. Dude would be heavy for a defensive tackle.

I genuinely hope he comes back stronger than ever. When he's on, he's one of the most fun players to watch. I just can't imagine we'll ever see him play many (if any) 70+ game seasons.

[dhsilv2]

i mean, unless he gets injured again in the offseason, he's going to play next season. don't you think that's a bit premature a declaration?

Well that seems like a big possibility doesn't it? When he gets that big butt of his off that couch playing video games that foot is sure to fracture again if he can't get his weight dropped by like 50 pounds.

he's not fat, and that's not the reason he couldn't play. You obviously know this. Like im not going to do this with you man, not worth it.

Are we STILL having people try and make the case that a clearly fat guy isn't fat?

[Dave_R]

He'll get better in time for his contract year.

[Mallie]

If the Pelicans decided to trade Zion what's the highest pick they could get in the upcoming draft?

Depends on the intel the team trading for him would be able to gather. Might be anything - from top 3 pick if he just wants out of NO by any means necessary, or top 55 protected SRP if he's just fishing for another contract and is completely cooked injury-wise.

Whi knows, really.

[Onlytimewilltel]

i mean, unless he gets injured again in the offseason, he's going to play next season. don't you think that's a bit premature a declaration?

Well that seems like a big possibility doesn't it? When he gets that big butt of his off that couch playing video games that foot is sure to fracture again if he can't get his weight dropped by like 50 pounds.

he's not fat, and that's not the reason he couldn't play. You obviously know this. Like im not going to do this with you man, not worth it.

[jpengland]

All is fine. Nothing to see here...

3 years.
85 games
Persistent weight issues

And...

DATE DESCRIPTION
09/27/2021 Foot
05/07/2021 Finger
03/31/2021 Thumb
03/04/2021 Toe
01/13/2021 Health And Safety Protocols
08/10/2020 Knee
07/29/2020 Re-Conditioning
07/22/2020 Personal
02/10/2020 Ankle
02/08/2020 Ankle
10/18/2019 Knee

you can't be serious

Care to elaborate....

[Dan Z]

If the Pelicans decided to trade Zion what's the highest pick they could get in the upcoming draft?

Depends on the intel the team trading for him would be able to gather. Might be anything - from top 3 pick if he just wants out of NO by any means necessary, or top 55 protected SRP if he's just fishing for another contract and is completely cooked injury-wise.

Whi knows, really.

I'm sure they can get better than a top 55 protected SRP even if teams think his injuries will continuing being a major issue.

How high of a pick can they get? I have no idea.

[NO-KG-AI]

Hello Greg Oden

i mean, unless he gets injured again in the offseason, he's going to play next season. don't you think that's a bit premature a declaration?

It's not premature for a comparison. Oden kept trying to play but just kept getting injured. We will see.

Oden had multiple catastrophic knee injuries back to back to back. Zion has had long setbacks, and the foot is worrying, but it's nothing like the type of injuries Oden had.

Zion has had similar injuries to Embiid, but actually a lot less setbacks on them. I think more concerning is how long it's taken him to get back than the actual injury for most people. I had the same worries with Joel.

Zion was held out when he was ready to play in his rookie season, and that was a big part of the contention with the former coaching staff and medical team, and then the season was cut extremely short when he came back and was balling out. It's on him for not staying ready for when the bubble came up, but that was a disaster for the entire team.

He could spiral out of control in a vicious circle of 1)being overweight because of injuries limiting him and 2) getting injured as a result of being overweight, but his injuries aren't things that are huge hurdles for an athlete to get through comparatively at this point. He doesn't have ACL, achilles, or major back injuries that can put guys out forever... yet.

He has a lot of work to do though, and he has to want it. Time will tell.

[Edrees]

He can still turn it around and have a great career but it's clear he's going to need to take rest days and limit his minutes to have a hall of fame career. Extremely unlikely for him to be an all time great type talent now tho with having to always play with these type of health problems.

[Funcrusher]

Well that seems like a big possibility doesn't it? When he gets that big butt of his off that couch playing video games that foot is sure to fracture again if he can't get his weight dropped by like 50 pounds.

he's not fat, and that's not the reason he couldn't play. You obviously know this. Like im not going to do this with you man, not worth it.

Are we STILL having people try and make the case that a clearly fat guy isn't fat?

i forgot you're very anal about the definition of the word fat

Let me rephrase. He's currently not at a bad weight? Happy?

[Baski]

This is as non news as that Grayson Allen hasnt reached to Caruso report.Two chins wasted one of my boys Jonas' seasons, Pels seriously could have been good with healthy skinny Zion.

oh my god. WOW! Thank you

[dhsilv2]

he's not fat, and that's not the reason he couldn't play. You obviously know this. Like im not going to do this with you man, not worth it.

Are we STILL having people try and make the case that a clearly fat guy isn't fat?

i forgot you're very anal about the definition of the word fat

Let me rephrase. He's currently not at a bad weight? Happy?

Has he lost 50 pounds? He's absolutely at an unhealthy body weight. And heavy guys, even lean ones with foot issues have serious concerns. The fact he's carrying a spare tire isn't helpful at all.

[Funcrusher]

Are we STILL having people try and make the case that a clearly fat guy isn't fat?

i forgot you're very anal about the definition of the word fat

Let me rephrase. He's currently not at a bad weight? Happy?

Has he lost 50 pounds? He's absolutely at an unhealthy body weight. And heavy guys, even lean ones with foot issues have serious concerns. The fact he's carrying a spare tire isn't helpful at all.

He's lost weight but he's literally never losing 50 pounds (or should ever). Unless he was ever upwards of 320 which i doubt. You can keep regurgitating this tired take but it doesn't hold water. 265 - 280 will always be his playing weight

[Cavsfansince84]

If the Pelicans decided to trade Zion what's the highest pick they could get in the upcoming draft?

I would guess 6-8 range. Maybe higher if a team doesn't like anyone in that 3-5 range and probably ask for a pick in return. I can't remember if this is considered to be a deep draft coming up. Not only does he have the weight/injury issues but he'll also be looking for a new contract fairly soon. Some gms probably want nothing to do with him while others would be willing to roll the dice.

[AussieRules]

The main challenge for him is not to lose weight and get in playing shape, he would do that so he can sign that extension and get his max.

The challenge and what NO need to seriously consider is if he has enough self discipline to STAY in shape. I highly doubt he is a PRO enough to want to do what it takes to stay in shape for the course of his career.

But what would be a fair return for someone like Zion, I’d want an all star player and 1st round pick in return. I’d milk the knicks for everything they’ve got.

[dhsilv2]

i forgot you're very anal about the definition of the word fat

Let me rephrase. He's currently not at a bad weight? Happy?

Has he lost 50 pounds? He's absolutely at an unhealthy body weight. And heavy guys, even lean ones with foot issues have serious concerns. The fact he's carrying a spare tire isn't helpful at all.

He's lost weight but he's literally never losing 50 pounds (or should ever). Unless he was ever upwards of 320 which i doubt. You can keep regurgitating this tired take but it doesn't hold water. 265 - 280 will always be his playing weight

I'd agree with the playing weight....he has been WELL over that this year! I'd be shocked if he hasn't been north of 340

[Funcrusher]

Has he lost 50 pounds? He's absolutely at an unhealthy body weight. And heavy guys, even lean ones with foot issues have serious concerns. The fact he's carrying a spare tire isn't helpful at all.

He's lost weight but he's literally never losing 50 pounds (or should ever). Unless he was ever upwards of 320 which i doubt. You can keep regurgitating this tired take but it doesn't hold water. 265 - 280 will always be his playing weight

I'd agree with the playing weight....he has been WELL over that this year! I'd be shocked if he hasn't been north of 340

well thank god... at least you and i can agree on that

[TheAlchemist]

I would trade him for whatever I can get, and beg Daryl Morey to show me how to extract the most value for his player.

He hasn't done jack for New Orleans. He's fat and out of shape. He literally looks like an injury away from being a Greg Oden part 2.

These type of malcontent players will never succeed and only will win a chip by joining another superstar and playing second fiddle.

[Que Rico]

Well, looks like someone is back. Check out his Twitter