Zion lost dozens of pounds! The strongest state in the past 6 years! He is expected to dominate the NBA at the age of 25

On September 24, several NBA teams held a new season media day, including the Pelicans. Zion made his current body shape astonished many reporters: his face was angular and even his chin was obvious. Zion said: "I feel so good now, my best form since college (2019)!"

Some fans may think that this doesn't look thin either? Comparing the photos from last year's Media Day, Zion lost significantly. Teammate Trey Murphy said in an interview today: "Zion is thinner than in the past summer, and he is in a very good spirit." Pelicans general manager Joe Dumas said that in the past month, Zion has been very fierce in training.

In this offseason, the Pelicans fired David Griffin and hired Pistons legend Joe Dumas as the team's president of basketball operations. Joe Dumas is very tough and acts decisively. The Pelicans sent McCollum and Olynick to the Wizards in exchange for Jordan Poole and Sadiq Bay, and traded upward to get the No. 13 pick to pick Quinn.

However, this deal of the Pelicans was rated as the worst offseason by ESPN: the Pelicans sent the No. 23 draw in the first round of this year, plus the unprotected first round of 2026 to the Hawks, and the 2-for-1 deal was obtained by this year's first round of 1 draw. Many fans shout that it is not worth it. According to the Pelicans' record in the past two years, this first round pick next year is likely to be in the top 5 picks.

ESPN gave the Pelicans a F offseason operation, the worst in the league. Quinn was born on December 27, 2004. She is 2.06 meters tall, has a wingspan of 2.15 meters and weighs 112 kg. Last season, he averaged 16.5 points, 9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals per game at the University of Maryland, with three shooting percentages: 52.6%, 20%, 76.6%.

In addition, the Pelicans also signed Warriors champion center Kevin Looney for two years and $16 million, and Poole and Looney reunited with the Pelicans. Poole said: "I haven't enjoyed the hardcore cover for a long time!" Why did the Pelicans trade McCollum for Poole? The only explanation is that Poole is younger and has higher attendance rates: he averaged 76 games in the past three seasons.

Finally, talking about Zion's problem, Joe Dumas publicly criticized him on the media day: "Talent alone is not enough. You cannot just want greatness and not take responsibility. We have been emphasizing this point. Be responsible for what you do and dare to take responsibility." Dumas will not spoil Zion and send him away if he is not self-disciplined.

The Pelicans were suffering from injuries last season, and the five main players were reimbursed: Dezunta Murray, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy, McCollum and Zion. In the 2024-25 season, Zion played only 30 games, averaging 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks and 3 turnovers, with three shooting percentages: 56.7%, 23.1%, 65.6%.

Zion's contract is US$193 million for five years and expires in the summer of 2028. However, his last two years of contract was insured, and Zion had to meet the number of appearances in the battle before he could be converted into a guarantee contract. A very embarrassing data comparison: Zion and three-ball career have played 445 games in total; Oqiao has played 556 games by himself!

Zion was born on July 6, 2000 and is already 25 years old. Can he still save his career?