Report: Nike has expressed concern about Zion Williamson’s weight

Zion Williamson is expected to be held out for several weeks at the start of the NBA regular season because of his latest knee injury, and there are rumblings that the former Duke star needs to get his weight under control in order to help prevent similar ailments going forward.

Shortly after ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that Williamson’s injury is not “severe” but will force him to sit out for several weeks, Stephen A. Smith said on “First Take” that a source told him Zion has a strained meniscus. Perhaps more troubling, Smith said the same source said Nike is concerned about Williamson’s weight.

“Somebody told me that what they’re not telling us is that he’s got a strained meniscus, and Nike is concerned about his weight,” Smith said, as transcribed by Mike Chiari of Bleacher Report. “And they want him to use this opportunity to get some weight off him so he doesn’t put as much strain on that knee.”

The Pelicans are said to be relieved about Williamson’s knee soreness after he underwent further testing, but knee troubles have become somewhat of a recurring theme for the 19-year-old. Williamson is listed at 285 pounds, which is heavy for a player who is about 6-foot-6. Most of that has to do with his incredible strength, but it would not be a surprise if the Pelicans and Nike — his biggest sponsor — want him to shed a few pounds.

One former NBA big man already offered some advice to Williamson for keeping extra weight off. Williamson has now dealt with two knee injuries during the preseason, and he had more of a fluke injury when his sneaker blew apart during a game at Duke. The issue is certainly one worth monitoring.