Zion Williamson has started coming off the bench for the New Orleans Pelicans after returning from a hip injury, a change that has led to two straight wins. Coach James Borrego says the adjustment helps manage Williamson's minutes more effectively. The move raises questions about his long-term role with the team amid trade speculation.
Zion Williamson's time with the New Orleans Pelicans appears to be winding down, potentially through a trade or his non-guaranteed contract. The team struggles to justify his $40 million salary given his injury history and the emergence of draft pick Derik Queen in the lineup.
On December 14, Williamson came off the bench for the first time in his career against the Chicago Bulls, scoring 18 points in nearly 27 minutes during a Pelicans win. In the following game on Thursday against the Houston Rockets, he again started on the bench and, though less effective, contributed to an overtime victory. The Pelicans have won both games with Williamson as a reserve, compared to nine losses in his 10 starts this season.
Williamson missed more than two weeks with a hip injury before returning. The bench role aims to optimize his minutes under a current limit. Pelicans coach James Borrego explained, "If you bring him off the bench, it lays out cleaner to finish in the fourth quarter in a more manageable way. You're not rushing to bring him back in or take him out. It gets clunky in the fourth if he's starting right out of the gate." Borrego hopes Williamson will return to his normal rotation eventually.
The arrangement benefits both sides, separating Williamson's minutes from Queen's—who posted a +18 against Houston while Williamson was -17—and demonstrating Williamson's flexibility. Borrego noted, "If you're about team and you're about winning, you're willing to make moves like that. If guys are willing to sacrifice, that's a positive for our culture and our team."
This adaptability could appeal to future teams, as Williamson may need a lower-minutes role given his health concerns. Historical examples include Bill Walton's Sixth Man of the Year award in 1985-86 with the Boston Celtics averaging 19 minutes, Blake Griffin's effective reserve stint with the Nets, and Shaun Livingston's contributions to the Warriors dynasty. Current players like T.J. McConnell, who averaged 17.5 minutes in the 2025 postseason for the Pacers, show how impactful short bursts can be.
For now, the experiment works, helping the Pelicans win without their first-round pick and positioning Williamson for a potential move to a contender better suited to his needs.