Latest news with #ZionWilliamson
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
10 Most Overrated NBA Players In The Last 10 Years
10 Most Overrated NBA Players In The Last 10 Years originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Ladies and gentlemen, this is an unapologetic exposé on the NBA players of the last ten years who were given far more credit than they actually earned. Specifically, players who strutted as superstars but delivered nothing beyond box-score volume or fanfare. We have cut through the hype, scrutinized impact across playoffs, contracts, and peer perception, and built a ranking that's bold but frankly overdue. Let's unpack who was truly overrated and why their status has unraveled under pressure. 1. Ben Simmons From the moment he was hyped as the next LeBron James, Ben Simmons has lived under a burden of expectation he never came close to shouldering. Sure, he's a defensive disruptor and a pass-first giant, but that's only half the story. He refused to shoot from distance, crumbled under pressure (hello, 2021 playoff Game 7 no-dunk moment), and has turned into the most overrated No. 1 pick in decades. That fear of failure hasn't just cost him buckets, it's cost him credibility. And let's not sugarcoat it: Simmons' inability and apparent unwillingness to build even a basic jump shot have made him a non-factor in today's NBA. Possessing a $40M ceiling over the past few seasons but delivering sub-$10M impact? That's why scouts now whisper he's 'never again All-Star-level', a harsh label, but the truth stings. 2. Zion Williamson Zion Williamson carried monumental hype: Duke phenom, generational talent, yet the reality has been far less swish than the banner headlines. Fans forget he's only played 214 out of a possible 492 games in six years, a shocking figure. When healthy, yes, he had that thunderous low-post game. But the free-throw struggles, pedestrian defensive effort, and uneven lateral quickness expose a player more crispy highlight than a durable foundation. So far, he's felt like an All-Star in theory, not in practice. The Pelicans still hover in mediocrity, and the balloon of expectation deflates fast when the court lights come on and clutch moments arrive. We won't be surprised if the Pelicans pull the plug on a player who was supposed to be the face of the league by now. 3. Rudy Gobert Rudy Gobert's rim protection is elite, but elite only gets you so far. The man is essentially a glorified screen-setter when it comes to offense, limited in pick-and-rolls, and regularly a playoff liability. DPOY hardware (four trophies, in fact) may dazzle, but it hasn't fixed his shortcomings in perimeter defense or half-court rotations. And let's face it: even critics who love his interior presence say he 'can get played off the floor,' pointing to his struggles when opponents attack him outside the paint. If the game keeps shifting to pace-and-space, Gobert feels like a last-gen relic. 4. Paul George Paul George arrived in Philadelphia on the back of an eye-catching resume, nine All-Star nods, four All-Defensive honors, and playoff expectations that bordered on franchise-saver status. Instead? A $212 million contract that has so far felt more like an albatross than an asset. Despite the hype, his production has dipped dramatically: averaging just 16.2 PPG, his shooting and efficiency have cratered to career lows, all while Philly floundered with an uninspiring record and no cohesion around him. But it's more than the stats. George has publicly whined about boredom while playing center in Joel Embiid's stead, signaling a lack of seriousness on the court, something critic Bill Simmons called tone-deaf. Worse, he's now widely regarded as a poor trade asset, an aging star with a shaky availability record who disappoints under pressure. 5. Kyle Kuzma Kyle Kuzma's cameo as a Laker sweetheart feels like forever ago, but the narrative never caught up with reality. Career poor shooting splits and negative Advanced Box Plus/Minus numbers follow him like a bad tweet. When the Milwaukee Bucks acquired him, it was less about proven upside but more about salary-matching and hope, and that tells you everything. His recent playoff flop, zero stats in over 21 minutes, made fans and analysts alike gasp. Kuzma's game might produce flashes of scoring, but those are just that: flashes. He hasn't proven he can consistently lift winning teams, which is why even the tanking Washington Wizards were willing to pull the plug on him. 6. D'Angelo Russell D'Angelo Russell has that silky jumper and court swagger, but his efficiency numbers are troubling. True shooting and eFG% routinely under league average, and his scoring often takes precedence over winning outputs. Showtime? More like showboating. The hype train never stops, but veterans know the deal: take-your-turn scorers don't translate to playoff substance. His meteoric hot stretches don't hide the inconsistency. Yes, he can light it up, but a flash might not illuminate the path to a title. 7. Jordan Poole Jordan Poole's step-back threes are highlight-worthy, but the impact behind the splash is underwhelming. He ranked among the league's most overrated guards in an anonymous player poll, with teammates not fooled by 'Wizards flavor'. And when October games fade into January frost, his cold spells hit hard; ten points, then two, then eight… the rhythm never sticks. One night he's the hero; the next he's the ghost. The Wizards' experiment is less 'Poole Power' and more gamble, and so far, it's underdelivered. Hopefully, Poole can rediscover the form that once made him a key Warriors player with the New Orleans Pelicans. 8. Bradley Beal Bradley Beal's contract read like a max extension over the past few years, but that was a max extension of what he could provide. Phoenix paid for bursts of scoring he's delivered inconsistently, and yet even the front office now labels the move a flop. His numbers dipped into 'shadow of himself' territory, and playoff futility followed. All the buckets in the world don't matter if your contract handcuffs your team and your playoff resume is practically blank. That's the Beal equation: impressive paper stats, negligible team elevation. That is why the Suns bought him out, and the former All-Star hopes to correct the narrative about him with the stacked Los Angeles Clippers. 9. Russell Westbrook There was a time Russell Westbrook was a triple-double machine who could get numbers regardless of how the team performed. Now? He might have proven that he is a prime example of stats padding over substance and has been for years. Inefficient scoring, bloated usage rates, and a locker room reputation that screamed 'disruptive' rather than 'electric'. Even Denver's gamble to plug him in off the bench fell flat, he unsettled the rotation and didn't deliver enough to dull the concerns. The legend's endurance can't mask the awkwardness of an MVP turned awkward narrative footnote. We hope Russ can find a proper ending to his career because we haven't seen many stat-sheet stuffers better than him in NBA history. Is that all he will be remembered for? Most likely. 10. Kristaps Porzingis The Unicorn flashed All-Star potential in Washington and Dallas, but every season since, injuries and mismatches have derailed him. He never evolved into a pillar; just a rollercoaster with broken tracks. When you're one MRI away from disappearing for months, hype dies hard. The Boston Celtics were somehow able to extract whatever they could out of Kristaps Porzingis, enough to win the NBA title in the 2024 season, but he was back to his unhealthy ways last year. Being a missing piece to an NBA title (alongside Jrue Holiday) should wash away overrated concerns, but the big man simply cannot live up to his talents. His inconsistent availability makes him toxic for team-building. Flashy defense and three-point range are beautiful, but fantasy potential doesn't pay coaching story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wild Blockbuster Trade Ideas For Lakers, Mavericks, And Warriors
Wild Blockbuster Trade Ideas For Lakers, Mavericks, And Warriors originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The 2025 NBA offseason has already rewritten the league with many elite stars moving teams already. The Houston Rockets completed a staggering seven-team blockbuster, landing Kevin Durant, while Damian Lillard's injury-landed departure from the Milwaukee Bucks and subsequent stretch led to his exit. Bradley Beal found himself on the veteran minimum, joining the Los Angeles Clippers, and we might not have seen that coming. Amid the revolving door of stars, LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers for 2025-26, maintaining an aura of uncertainty over his future and fueling speculation. Even teams like the Dallas Mavericks are gunning for the NBA title in 2025-26, and the Golden State Warriors are always in the hunt as long as Stephen Curry is still in his prime. With all these big teams and names we are floating around, we propose three blockbuster trade ideas involving the Lakers, Mavericks, and Warriors that will see LeBron, Anthony Davis, and even big man Zion Williamson moving teams. Let's dive in. San Antonio Spurs Acquire LeBron James To Pair With Their Talented Core Proposed Trade Details San Antonio Spurs Receive: LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Devin Vassell, Julian Champaigne, Kelly Olynyk, 2026 first-round pick (ATL), 2028 first-round pick (BOS) In this scenario, the San Antonio Spurs swing a jaw-dropping deal for LeBron James, pairing the 40-year-old superstar (24.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 8.2 APG) with Victor Wembanyama (24.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG) and De'Aaron Fox (23.5 PPG, 6.3 APG) to crafting instant national relevance. The narrative practically writes itself: LeBron mentoring Wemby, igniting a fanbase in need of excitement, and giving NBA purists the coup of the decade. ESPN would run with the storyline: 'The prodigal King arrives in San Antonio,' redefining their timeline in a single move. Spurs fans thirsty for a playoff identity get one blockbuster snap. For the Lakers, the return package, Devin Vassell, Julian Champaigne, Kelly Olynyk, plus two first-round picks (2026 pick via Atlanta, 2028 via Boston), reorients them toward youth and flexibility. Vassell offers cost-controlled upside at guard, Champaigne adds rim protection (9.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG), and Olynyk (8.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG) gives a veteran big body. This trade underscores LA's pivot to building around Luka Doncic and shedding cap strain. It's ruthless and forward-thinking. However, this deal carries a massive risk for both ends. San Antonio gets an aging LeBron whose no-trade clause and superlative legacy give him considerable power. The Lakers could lose immense marketing value and star leadership. Meanwhile, the Spurs gamble their future on one season of LeBron's production before his inevitable decline. It's bold, or delusional, depending on your view. Dallas Mavericks Move Anthony Davis To The Boston Celtics Proposed Trade Details Boston Celtics Receive: Anthony Davis Dallas Mavericks Receive: Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, 2031 first-round pick (BOS), 2027 second-round pick Put bluntly: this is Dallas cutting ties with Anthony Davis (24.7 PPG, 11.6 RPG) in a move that would shock every cable sports show. The Boston Celtics suddenly get a defensive anchor, a pick-and-roll destroyer, and a Finals-level star to pair with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. It's continuity with room for elevation, a pairing that terrifies opponents across the East. Boston GM Joe Dumars would get props for swinging big under pressure. Dallas, by shipping AD for Derrick White (16.4 PPG, 4.8 APG), Anfernee Simons (19.3 PPG), a 2027 second-rounder, and Boston's 2031 first-rounder, commits to youth and cap agility. Derrick White is a versatile guard who fits the next-gen retool, Simons is a scoring spark, and the pick bridges future flexibility while they develop Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving's brand-new Mavs core. It's handing over a loud present for a quieter rebuild, with plausible upside. Yet it stings. Trading Davis could render the Mavs defensively vulnerable and cost them veteran stability. For Boston, relying on health is dicey: Davis hasn't been injury-proof this season. And for Dallas, losing championship-proven grit in exchange for draft capital and role players is bracing, especially if Flagg doesn't fast-track like they expect. Golden State Warriors Go All-In For Zion Williamson While Retaining Jonathan Kuminga Proposed Trade Details Golden State Warriors Receive: Zion Williamson New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, 2027 first-round pick (GSW), 2032 first-round pick (GSW) Golden State decides to toss the role-player model aside and chase seismic upside: Zion Williamson (24.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG). They send Draymond Green (9.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG), Brandin Podziemski (11.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG), plus their 2027 and 2032 first-rounders to the Pelicans. Zion's power and inside scoring would bridge the gap between mid-tier ceiling and championship threat, with Kuminga still in tow. It's daring in that signature Warriors couture: splashy, bold, but potentially transformative. This trade would instantly shift the West's balance and alter the Warriors' marketing forever. Imagine Zion in Bay Area social media content, linked stat lines between him and Kuminga, two explosive forwards, and Curry finding a new lob conduit. If healthy, it elevates Golden State from fringe to Finals contender overnight. Of course, there's a mountain of baggage: Zion's durability concerns are well-documented, and the surrender of Green's leadership and identity muddies Bay loyalty. Podziemski is unproven but tantalizing, and the picks are key assets if things crash. The Pelicans emerge with culture and depth; the Warriors roll the dice on peak ceiling. It's high-risk, high-reward, even reckless, if you ask story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pelicans' Zion Williamson gets $39.4 million contract update
Zion Williamson isn't going anywhere. At least, not yet. The New Orleans Pelicans had to decide by this week whether they'd guarantee Williamson's $39.4 million salary for the 2025-26 season. According to The Athletic, they've chosen to indeed guarantee the deal. Here's the breakdown from The Athletic's William Guillory: If the Pelicans had placed Williamson on waivers before Tuesday, they would've been on the hook for only a portion of his $39.4 million salary for the upcoming season. The final two seasons of his contract would have also been wiped off the books. Instead, New Orleans remains committed to its oft-injured star, hoping he can pick up where he left off last season and again show potential as a franchise cornerstone. Given his extensive injury history, the Pelicans included stipulations to Williamson's current contract to protect the team in case the former No. 1 pick continued to miss significant time due to injuries or ongoing issues with conditioning. Twenty percent of Williamson's salary for each season becomes guaranteed if he passes all six of his weigh-in checkpoints during the prior season, another 40 percent if he plays in at least 41 games in the previous season, an additional 20 percent if he plays in at least 51 and the final 20 percent if he plays in at least 61 games. MORE: LeBron James trade, buyout rumors take 180-degree turn Williamson played in 30 games in 2024-25. Still just 25 years old, Williamson shone brightly on the court. He averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and a career-high 5.3 assists per game. Williamson has often seemed to be involved in trade rumors in his time in New Orleans. It's a tricky situation, given Williamson's immense talent but also propensity to get hurt. In the end, the Pelicans couldn't really choose to get rid of him for nothing. His contract is locked in for this season, and they can figure out how to proceed from here. MORE NBA NEWS: Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony named greatest college basketball player of the millenium Lakers don't want former No. 1 pick in a trade Victor Wembanyama's real reason for training with Chinese monks revealed Pacers' All-Star seeking NBA comeback after 2 years missed from injury Yang Hansen has seized his first NBA opportunity Bronny James' voice sounds exactly like LeBron's
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joe Dumars urges Zion Williamson to stop wasting his potential and leads his team: "It's time now at 25 years old to embrace those responsibilities"
Joe Dumars urges Zion Williamson to stop wasting his potential and leads his team: "It's time now at 25 years old to embrace those responsibilities" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Joe Dumars is having a busy offseason with the New Orleans Pelicans. Beyond signing Kevon Looney and — albeit controversially — guiding the team through the recent NBA Draft, he also held talks with a special Pelicans player, Zion Williamson. Recently, Joe D revealed insights from that talk, with one thing standing out: it's time for Zanos to truly step up as the franchise cornerstone he is — or rather, is meant to be. Untapped potential Dumars is still new to the Pelicans, having taken over as General Manager this April. In contrast, Williamson is already a seasoned veteran. Though it might not feel that way, the dominant 6'6" forward is about to start his seventh season in the league. They have stayed close since day one despite joining the NOLA franchise at completely different times. As Dumars, a Detroit Pistons legend, says, "We are in constant contact with each other." When you have those conversations — especially when bringing the experience of a two-time NBA champion — you quickly get a sense of the person across the table. Joe saw that with Zion and came away impressed, calling the former Duke Blue Devil an incredibly good guy and a really good person. As Dumars noted, Williamson also has uncanny on-court qualities — being immensely talented — but there's a "but" to it all, one that's been discussed at length. As the story goes, Zion's NBA journey has been defined more by what could have been than what is. Conditioning issues have consistently dogged the 2019 top draft pick, fueling a cycle of injuries that kept him off the court for more than half of New Orleans' games across his first five seasons. Yet, when Williamson, a two-time All-Star, stayed healthy, he was a force unlike many before him, blending raw power with rare efficiency that at times bordered on straight talk to Williamson For Joe D, the architect of Detroit's 2004 championship team, one thing is certain: the Pelicans can only succeed when Zion moves beyond potential and consistently leads the team. That's the kind of message the GM says he's communicated to the star player. "I've talked to him about the responsibility of being great and the responsibility of being a leader, of being a captain, of being the best player, of being the face of a franchise," said Dumars. "I've talked to him about how all of those things come with responsibility and how it's time now, at 25 years old, to embrace those responsibilities. That's what our conversations have been. It's really just been about embracing your greatness on and off the court." The former NBA point guard described their talks as honest and direct, never sugarcoated. "I wasn't mincing words,+." Dumars, a Louisiana native, explained that his approach comes from genuine care and a desire to help Williamson mature into a true professional. "He also knows it comes from a place of caring about him, helping him grow into being a real, true pro," explained the 62-year-old. As the Pelicans' new GM, it's definitely Joe's responsibility to have these candid talks. This is especially important given how much of Zion's talent has gone untapped since joining the franchise. Ultimately, New Orleans fans are eager to soak in the full Zion experience. That means the North Carolina native must step up, and following Dumars' advice seems like a great starting point. Still, the sense of urgency for Williamson to do so seems to grow by the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Pelicans will fully guarantee Zion Williamson's salary for 2025-26: Source
The New Orleans Pelicans plan to fully guarantee Zion Williamson's salary for the 2025-26 season, team sources tell The Athletic. If the Pelicans had placed Williamson on waivers before Tuesday, they would've been on the hook for only a portion of his $39.4 million salary for the upcoming season. The final two seasons of his contract would've also been wiped off the books. Advertisement Instead, New Orleans remains committed to its oft-injured star, hoping he can pick up where he left off last season and again show potential as a franchise cornerstone. Given his extensive injury history, the Pelicans included stipulations to Williamson's current contract to protect the team in case the former No. 1 pick continued to miss significant time due to injuries or ongoing issues with conditioning. Twenty percent of Williamson's salary for each season becomes guaranteed if he passes all six of his weigh-in checkpoints during the prior season, another 40 percent if he plays in at least 41 games in the previous season, an additional 20 percent if he plays in at least 51 and the final 20 percent if he plays in at least 61 games. Williamson, 25, appeared in only 30 games last season, so New Orleans could have waived him at any point before July 15. However, that brief stretch may have been the best he's looked in his career. He averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and a career-high 5.3 assists while playing just 28.6 minutes per game. Much like this summer, Williamson's contract will also become fully guaranteed in 2026-27 if he remains on the roster beyond July 15, 2026. The same applies to the 2027-28 season if he remains on the roster after July 15, 2027. He can re-guarantee portions of his salary for the 2027-28 season as well by hitting those same milestones in the preceding season. While there have been persistent rumors surrounding Williamson's future in New Orleans over the past few months, Pelicans lead executive Joe Dumars has spoken publicly about the franchise's commitment to keeping Williamson and building the roster around him. 'We're going to continue to go forward with him as the face of the franchise,' Dumars told WDSU News in New Orleans. 'I told him we're going to do this, but there's responsibility and accountability that comes with this. I know what it looks like.' Advertisement Will Dumars' commitment to Williamson continue beyond 2025-26? That will likely be determined by Williamson's performance this season and if he can uplift a young roster that suddenly has pressure as a Western Conference playoff contender. The team sent an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks in a draft-day deal to acquire former Maryland star Derik Queen with the 13th pick in the 2025 draft. If Williamson struggles with his availability again this season, his future in New Orleans will become a major point of contention, and Dumars' decision to trade his unprotected 2026 pick away will receive even more scrutiny.
