Latest Zion Williamson injury update might excite Knicks fans

One of the bigger names that have been linked to the New York Knicks is Zion Williamson, who fans hoped would be the team’s selection at No. 1 in the 2019 NBA Draft. But the New Orleans Pelicans ended up winning the draft lottery and the Knicks got the No. 3 pick (aka RJ Barrett), but since then there have been rumors about Williamson making his way to New York.

Since joining the league, Williamson’s played in 85 games. He didn’t play at all in 2021-22 due to a broken foot, although it was believed that he’d be able to return sometime during the year. However, his timeline continued to get pushed back.

But now, the six-foot-six big man has been cleared to return to full basketball activities without any restrictions. The 21-year-old is eligible to sign a five-year, $181 million max rookie extension this summer with New Orleans, but there’s been speculation about what Williamson’s reaction would be if he isn’t offered the max.

Which, of course, is where the Knicks come in. Williamson’s health has been the biggest concern of his three seasons in the league, but now that he’s been fully cleared, the game has changed. If there’s a rift between him and the Pelicans this summer, New York fans are going to be ready to pounce.

Knicks fans might still be hoping that Zion Williamson will request a trade to NY

Would it be shocking if Williamson made it known during the offseason that he wanted to be traded? Yes. He recently said that he wouldn’t be able to sign an extension with New Orleans “fast enough.”

But after Williamson said that he loved to play in Madison Square Garden, Knicks fans hung on to his every word. There’s also the connection to Barrett, who was Williamson’s teammate at Duke. And remember the trade that New York made this past January? Cam Reddish, who was the No. 10 pick in 2019, is another Blue Devil connection on the Knicks’ roster.

So, if Williamson becomes unhappy with the Pelicans, it’s been thought that he’d venture to New York based on the connections listed above. But don’t put all of your money down on that happening.

New Orleans traded for CJ McCollum ahead of the February deadline, made it to the playoffs without Williamson, and then there’s Brandon Ingram, who’s averaged 22+ points in his three years with the Pelicans. And when you add a Williamson to that mix, especially if he can stay healthy, New Orleans has the potential to be a true threat in the West.

For Knicks fans, the good news is that Williamson is finally cleared. Why? Because if the unthinkable happens this summer and he somehow ends up in New York, he’ll be ready to make an impact at the start of 2022-23. But don’t wait for that to happen with bated breath. For now, it’s still just a fantasy.

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