Let's Set Odds: Will Zion Williamson Play On Opening Night in 2022?

Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans can not catch a break. 

Today it was reported that Williamson will likely need a second surgery on his right foot to get everything straightened out. 

Williamson will likely miss the remainder of this season, which will leave large,looming questions going into the offseason. The Pelicans just traded for C.J. McCollum to bolster their roster for Williamson’s return, but that may not happen for a long time.

Williamson hasn’t played since May 4, 2021. Will he even be available for the start of the season next year?

Let’s set the odds.

Odds Zion Williamson Will Start The 2022-23 NBA Season Healthy

• Yes:-250
• No: +125

Zion Williamson Will Be Healthy

Although hearing about a second surgery is scary, the next NBA season won’t start for another eight months. That is a long time for his foot to heal and for Williamson to get back into shape. If the second surgery is what he needs to allow the foot to heal properly, then this is a good thing. The last thing the Pelicans would want is a catastrophic injury to happen because his rehab was botched. 

Williamson was moved to Portland to focus on his rehab. The Pelicans are trying to get everything under control, and they have time on their side.

Zion Williamson Won’t Be Healthy

For someone who plays with such force and above the rim as Zion Williamson does, a second foot surgery should be very concerning for everyone involved. I can 100% foresee a scenario in which Williamson is gearing up for training camp and he starts to feel a little bit of soreness in his foot, leading him to start the season in street clothes. In two and a half years in the league, Williamson has only played in 82 games. 

The Pelicans need to make sure that Williamson’s story ends like Joel Embiid’s and not Greg Oden’s. Right now, it’s leaning towards the latter.