There is apparently a lot less of Zion Williamson to go around these days.
The New Orleans Pelicans star forward Williamson went viral at Media Day on Tuesday for his stunning body transformation. New Orleans shared photos to their official X page in which Williamson looked shockingly slim. Take a look at the posts (which included a solo shot of Williamson plus one of him alongside Pelicans teammates Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones).
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 23, 2025
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 23, 2025
Williamson, who is still listed at 6-foot-6 and 284 pounds, has become notorious throughout his NBA career for his poor conditioning. Fans were especially concerned just last month as well after an offseason image emerged of Williamson looking pretty hefty.
But now, it appears that a few weeks’ difference (plus perhaps a slightly more flattering photo angle) has done Williamson a lot of good. The former No. 1 overall pick is still owed roughly $127 million over the next three years with the Pelicans, but that contract does also come with notable protections for the team in the form of some well-documented weight and body-fat clauses. As such, Williamson has a strong financial incentive to keep himself in shape heading into the new season.
Now the challenge for Williamson will be maintaining that healthy weight and staying on the court throughout the 2025-26 campaign. He missed 52 games last season due to injury (mainly a hamstring problem), and many fans have already voiced skepticism that Williamson will be able to stay in shape for long.
