"Keep the buffet away": NBA fans troll Zion Williamson after Pelicans forward intends to shred down to 272 lbs ahead of new season

A photo of Zion Williamson with some kids from his basketball camp in Spartanburg, South Carolina quickly went viral. The New Orleans Pelicans superstar’s appearance likely shocked many. Williamson looked slimmer than he has ever been in the NBA.

Ian Casselberry’s report confirmed what many thought:

“REPORT: Zion Williamson says he’s currently 281 pounds, 4 pounds less than he was at Duke, per @iancass. Williamson’s plan is to be 272 pounds by the start of the season.”

Basketball fans reacted to that report:

“Keep the buffet away, need to see him disrupt the west this season”

One fan pointed out what many were likely wondering:

“If he is 281 in that photo wtf was he weighing during the season bruh”

Another fan commented:

“Why is this dude always still having weight problems in the NBA while on a super max??”

Another fan predicted:

“Breakout season for Zion more than ever. Hope he takes the Pels far & stays healthy man.”

"Zion entering his prime" one fan commented.

The weight loss didn’t abruptly happen considering the report by Nola.com in May this year. Zion Williamson slowly but steadily cut down his weight as the season progressed.

Following his anemic performance against the LA Lakers in the NBA In-Season Tournament, “Zanos” decided to get in better shape. From that miserable outing versus LeBron James and Co. to the end of the season, Williamson reportedly lost 25 pounds.

The weight loss worked like a charm as Zion Williamson played 70 games, the most in his career. He looked like he was finally ready to lead the Pelicans to the playoffs until another hamstring injury ruined his team’s chances of playing past the regular season.

Williamson’s contract also has a stipulated weight clause for him to get the maximum amount annually. He must be under 295 pounds while his body fat is regularly monitored. Next season, only 50% of his $36.7 million salary is guaranteed until Jan. 7 when the full amount is earned, per Spotrac.

Basketball fans can’t wait to see how Williamson plays next season when he will be lighter than he has ever been.

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The Pelicans badly need Zion Williamson to be healthy

The New Orleans Pelicans’ frontline will be the team’s biggest question mark leading into the 2024-25 season. Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr. will be playing somewhere else. Stepping up to the plate will be Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Karlo Matkovic. The team added Yves Missi in the draft and veteran Daniel Theis off free agency.

If Zion Williamson can’t stay healthy, the Pelicans might not even sniff the playoffs considering the uncertainties to their frontline. The elite teams in the West have superb frontline talent. Anthony Davis (Lakers), Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves) have key roles to play for their respective teams.

Even teams with no superstar center can rely on frontcourt depth to compete for the championship. The Dallas Mavericks can roll out Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber. Golden State has Draymond Green, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Kevon Looney and Kyle Anderson.

The Pelicans need Zion Williamson to stay healthy and play well to even compete for the play-in tournament. Perhaps the weight loss, which should give his knees and hamstring a huge relief, is the first step in that direction.