Shams Charania makes major claim about 284 lbs Zion Williamson amid Pelicans forward's health concerns

Zion Williamson has almost become an afterthought to many NBA fans, with injury and fitness issues rummaging his career. Infamous for having a clause requiring his combined weight and body fat percentage to be less than 295 pounds, Williamson's career has been a stop-start for most of his time with the New Orleans Pelicans, much to the fan's frustration.

Arguably the most hyped draft prospect since LeBron James and pre-Victor Wembanyama, Williamson has shown glimpses of elite potential, but his inability to be available for prolonged periods and his absences in the playoffs have been held up as huge red flags against his on-court ability.

However, recent statements by NBA insider Shams Charania have provided some hope for seeing a healthy Williamson in action for an extended period. Appearing on "The Pat McAfee Show," Charania said:

"From everything I hear, people might think it's crazy, but Zion Williamson really is in the best shape of his career. Since his rookie season, he hasn't been as light as he is. He is listed at 284. He is below that right now, I can report that."

The 6-foot-6 Williamson is the shortest player in the NBA's top-10 heaviest active players and has maintained this status throughout his career. His unique physical build has established himself as dominant in the paint, but experts also question his longevity. There are doubts about whether his frame can handle an NBA season's physical toll.

Williamson has only appeared in over 60 games twice in his six-year NBA career and is set to miss the 60-game mark this season, too, having only played in 10 of the 44 Pelicans games. However, following his recent return to action, Williamson has displayed the elite athleticism and skill set that made him stand out as a prospect at Duke.

Zion Williamson and the Pelicans are highly unlikely to make the playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans are 14th in the Western Conference with a 12-32 record. Their season has been ravaged by injuries to key players, with players missing a cumulative 256 days with injuries so far.

This may be disappointing, as the roster boasts considerable talent in Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, and Zion Williamson. The team, on paper, has the pieces to drive a strong playoff run but has struggled to get competitive lineups on the court.

Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram (Image Source: Getty)

It appears that the Pelicans are likely to feature in the tanking war underway for the rights to acquire Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA draft. Resolving the issues regarding the future of Ingram, their All-Star wing with an expiring contract, and preparing themselves for the draft might be their agenda, alongside getting Williamson up to speed and fitness.

Will 2026 be the year we finally see playoff Zion in action?