New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson is taking his conditioning seriously entering the 2025-26 NBA season. He has gone viral for his noticeably slimmed-down physique. On Tuesday, the two-time All-Star provided insight into the reason behind his renewed focus, largely crediting Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars.
Williamson’s weight has been a major area of concern throughout his career, with injuries frequently hindering his effectiveness. Last season, the high-flying 6-foot-6 forward, then listed at 284 pounds, was limited to 30 appearances due to hamstring and back injuries.
Despite frequently stuffing the stat sheet when available, Williamson has now missed more games (258) than he’s played (214) since being selected No. 1 in the 2019 NBA Draft. With availability concerns mounting, the 25-year-old appears poised to turn a corner as he seeks to live up to his draft billing as a generational talent.
What Motivated Zion Williamson to Undergo a Drastic Offseason Physical Overhaul?
During Pelicans Media Day on Tuesday, Williamson spoke in depth about his viral body transformation over the summer, noting that it’s been a long time coming.
“I really felt a shift in my body,” Williamson shared. “… I haven’t felt like this since college.”
According to Williamson, Dumars, who was hired in mid-April, has played a sizable role in his newfound discipline by constantly pushing him to reach his full potential.
“He’s going to hold me accountable, and as he holds me accountable, he’s going to give me a lot of responsibility as well, which I’m excited for,” Williamson explained. “I know he’s going to hold me to a really high standard, and if I slip up or anything, I know he’s going to be right there to make sure I get right back on the path.”
New Orleans coach Willie Green is among those who have noticed Williamson’s commitment to improving his reliability.
“I saw his work this summer, his attention to his body, his conditioning,” Green said. “He wants to be available for his teammates.”
Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III added that Williamson looks “slimmer than [he’s] ever seen him during the summer” and appears to be in a “really good place mentally.”
Williamson’s revamped fitness regimen reportedly incorporates “boxing” and “working out on a football field.” Time will tell whether he can sustain his rigorous work ethic throughout the grind of an 82-game regular season.
New Orleans retooled its roster this offseason, bringing aboard proven NBA champions in Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney. Even so, it will likely need its franchise player available more often than not to rebound from last season’s injury-riddled 21-win finish.
However, Williamson appears ready for the challenge, vowing to do “whatever [his] team needs” to succeed.
