"I'm out for straight vengeance": Zion Williamson rings warning bells ahead of sixth season in the NBA
New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is preparing for the 2024-25 season. Ahead of the team's preseason opener on Oct. 7 against the Orlando Magic, Williamson has let opponents know he means business.
In an interview with The Athletic, he made it clear that he has high expectations for the season ahead.
"I'm out for straight vengeance. ... I'm watching (LeBron James) out here on the court, doing what he's doing. I'm telling myself I want to be a player that has a high level of greatness—one of the greats ... I want to be one of them ones ... It's time to take every game personal," he said.
Last season, Williamson appeared in a career-high 70 games for the Pelicans, averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. The OKC Thunder swept the Pelicans in the playoffs' first round.
Last month, during the Jordan Brand Family Tour in China, Williamson was photographed alongside Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and Paolo Banchero, with fans noticing the Pelicans forward has slimmed down. Now, ahead of the 2024-25 season, Williamson has his sights set on a dominant year.
Pelicans acquire Dejounte Murray to pair with Zion Williamson
After a disappointing ending to the 2023-24 season, Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans have high hopes for the season ahead.
In addition to Zion Williamson's plans to take the bull by the horns this season, the front office managed to bolster the Pelicans' roster with some big offseason moves. Most notably, the team acquired standout guard Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks.
However, the team lost big man Jonas Valanciunas this summer, as well as Larry Nance Jr., who was a part of the trade for Dejounte Murray. There have been questions about the team's frontcourt and whether Daniel Theis will be enough at the starting center spot.
In addition, with Brandon Ingram also looking for a new contract, there are high expectations for the season ahead. While a healthy Zion Williamson could help the team make waves in the Western Conference, the season ahead could be one filled with a number of peaks and valleys.
Prior to the trade deadline, the team could undergo a bit of a transformation depending on whether Brandon Ingram and Trey Murphy wind up inking new contracts. If not, the team could look to trade one or both to acquire a center to start alongside Williamson in the frontcourt.
With plenty of questions regarding the season ahead, only time will tell how things play out for the Pelicans.