The Pelicans did not have Zion Williamson at their disposal when they lost against the Thunder in the play-in tournament.
He has been out with a hamstring injury since early January. The 22-year-old power forward was getting closer to return and there was slim hope that he would be available during the first round series of the playoffs.
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins thinks that Williamson could have played in the play-in tournament but chose not to. He raised a question whether Zion can be trusted to be a franchise player.
“When I’m looking at Zion right now, the word trust comes into play. If I’m in the front office of the New Orleans Pelicans, do I trust this guy to be my franchise player? … The answer is no!” Perk said on First Take, via ClutchPoints.
This season Williamson averaged 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 33 minutes over 29 games. He has played just 114 regular season games over three years for the Pelicans.
