Williamson appeared in 62 games in 2025-26, the second-most of his career and just the third time he's reached 60-plus appearances since going No. 1 overall in 2019. However, he averaged career lows in points (21.0), rebounds (5.7) and minutes (29.7) per game. He still shot 60 percent from the field, and his free-throw mark climbed to a career-high 71.6 percent on 7.5 attempts per game. The situation in New Orleans remains messy. The Pelicans finished 26-56, cycled through Willie Green and interim coach James Borrego before hiring Jamahl Mosley as head coach this offseason. Second-year big man Derik Queen is an awkward stylistic fit alongside Williamson, as neither excels at spacing the floor or protecting the rim. New Orleans didn't sign a starting center in free agency, with returning players Yves Missi, DeAndre Jordan and Karlo Matkovic serving as depth options if Queen and Williamson can't coexist. Jeremiah Fears and Queen represent the future, but Williamson, Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy form a win-now core. Joe Dumars has said the team has "no intentions" of trading Williamson this summer, but the former Duke superstar has acknowledged a trade is a "realistic" possibility, and his name will resurface the moment the season wobbles, along with Murray and Murphy. Putting aside the Pelicans' muddled future, Williamson, while not trending in the right direction statistically, could still have plenty left in the tank. He's just 26 years old and could have renewed vigor under a fresh leader. Due to his poor outside shooting numbers, Williamson is unlikely to have top-50 upside in category leagues, and his lack of availability should drop him down another tier. However, when he's on the court, Williamson has been and will remain a strong points-league option.