（原文发表于1月16日，作者为CBS体育的Sam Quinn，文章内容不代表译者观点）
鹈鹕队的锡安·威廉姆森在被球队禁赛一场后表现得非常大度，他表示：“这是我的工作，球队让我承担责任，我能做的就是变得更好。所有行为都有后果，这就是我要承担的结果。”这位前全明星球员展现出的态度令人钦佩，同时也简洁地概括了他在鹈鹕队所面临的困境。
每年，人们都满怀希望期待着锡安和鹈鹕能够突破重围。今年，球队阵容终于调整到位；今年，锡安似乎达到了超级巨星状态；今年，他也保持了良好的健康状况；而且，今年，他们将一切整合起来，希望成为争冠热门。然而，在过去六年中，这样的救赎始终未曾实现。在此期间，锡安只参加了不到45%的常规赛，而且没有明显长期进步。尽管他的身体状况可能是缺席的重要因素，但我们至少可以承认这一点并无助于改善局面。当上场的时候，他虽然得分相对稳定，但其他方面，包括防守，却时好时坏。据《The Athletic》记者贾里德·韦斯报道，当锡安因禁赛缺席比赛时，其队友德章泰-穆雷甚至给他打电话讨论其防守问题。
关于此次禁赛，《Yahoo Sports》的克里斯·海恩斯透露，并非因为某一次事件，而是由于本赛季多次训练迟到以及错过航班，使团队最终忍无可忍。这些有关问责制的话题听来有些空洞。五年来，无论是在个人还是团队层面，都没有实质性进展。如果一个人连续五年都无法真正负起责任，第六年的改变又有什么保障呢？如果一个团队已经期盼多年却依然毫无改观，那他们还有理由继续等待吗？如今，看起来翘首以待变化已成痴心妄想。
这绝不是要贬低锡安或鹿角军团——双方其实各自都有值得信任之处。正因为拥有MVP级别天赋，所以才让众多人寄予厚望。而对于黄蜂来说，只要锲而不舍，就相信若干潜力得到释放，将会是一支顶尖强队。此外，总经理大卫·格里芬在选秀上的操作颇具眼光，从乐透区之外挑中了特雷·墨菲，又从次轮挖掘出赫伯特·琼斯，还签下落选秀阿尔瓦拉多等人才，可谓管理层运作相当成功。
当然，对于交易获得德章泰-穆雷而言，也许代价偏高。但现在他们手握巅峰时期前全明星球员，并且合同条件极为合理。在当前时代，一份对球队友好的合同显得尤为重要。同时，由朱-霍勒迪交易积累的大量选秀资产，以及未来通过英格拉姆交易获取更多资源，为俱乐部提供了一定程度的发展空间。另外，还有一些年轻有潜力的小将，比如伊夫-米西、布兰登-波士顿及乔丹-霍金斯。因此，可以说黄蜂确实在构建阵容上取得了一定成绩，而给予锡安心理支持也是必要之举。不过，我们必须面对现实：双方合作关系或许走到了尽头。他们不能再浪费时间等待那种看似遥不可及的新生机。同时，对于身陷这样的环境中的锡安市民来说，“负责”二字恐怕只是空谈罢了。
接下来，不难理解的是，对两方来说“贸易”的决策都是苦涩选择，更何况对于黄蜂而言。如果他们贸然出售尚未兑现天赋版图里的核心人物，那么很可能导致管理层遭遇清洗，即使最后结局如愿。而即便最终没能达到预期目标，其它联盟成员同样意识到风险所在，因此不会给予像保罗乔治般丰厚回报。目前来看，即使目前仍是个价值十足的人物（尤其据称其契约属于非保障性质），但换来的利润远不足以与传统意义上的超巨匹敌。有传言表明，以往希冀离开新奥尔良，如今反倒受限于市场限制，大部分吸引这种角色玩家加盟的大城市，例如湖人、快船或者尼克斯均耗损殆尽筹码，很难提出讨喜报价。当然，小市场的一些实力派例如热火则另当别论，通过严格文化氛围与迈阿密这个NBA青睐目的地，有机会促成转移，不过多数对此感兴趣者亦需满足相关要求才能适应该体系发展方向。
Total, we can say that the partnership between Zion and Pelicans has reached a critical juncture. Whether to continue waiting or choose to part ways, both sides must make a difficult decision.
Zion is an enticing trade target because he represents a level of proven talent that most teams in the league rarely have access to. Young players like him who have already made All-Star appearances are seldom found on teams like Hornets or Jazz; if Zion’s career progresses as planned, those franchises would never even get close—James didn’t meet with Pacers back then for free agency talks either.
A few organizations find themselves nearly devoid of options besides relying on drafts when aiming at MVP-level talents. Despite his risks, Zions’ potential upside holds more weight than other scenarios: should he fulfill it within another franchise's system effectively paving their route towards contention? Teams such as Heat might be selective about acquisitions while others lack luxury thereof (like Blazers). If traded away from New Orleans ultimately leads him joining one struggling squad eager enough recognizing opportunities therein—it could lead them out into success territory too! Of course there lies possibility where signing ends up placing further strain upon respective club dynamics but surely beats stagnation experienced thus far!
The Pelicans historically fall under this category having been able snagging high-profile stars previously during draft nights—including notable figures Chris Paul & Anthony Davis—to later watch these pivotal pieces become disenchanted prompting exits thereafter… In totality across two decades now they’ve likely acquired three individuals fitting profile yet may need wait additional 20–30 years before encountering next viable candidate again considering how long Hornets took without ever landing any first-team All-NBA caliber player through entire span over past thirty-five seasons played!
This season presents unique opportunity avoiding worst-case outcomes ahead though given upcoming NBA Draft anticipated strong crop featuring top-tier prospects along with increased number emerging star candidates compared prior drafts available recently—Cooper Flagg being standout name whilst Dylan Harper/Ashton Bailey/V.J.—Echikwu also boast superstar ceilings hence all four projected heavily regarded among favorites vying #1 overall pick throughout 2024 selections process underway shortly afterwards!. Being currently saddled near bottom third standings marks advantageous positioning retaining lowly rankings necessary capitalizing forthcoming picks targeting foundational future building blocks especially since health status surrounding Williamson impedes realization goal here altogether otherwise so although selection guarantees remain elusive yield entering lottery drawing positioned amongst upper echelon affords significant leverage altering trajectory entirely moving forward potentially.”
Pelican's current state isn't dire by conventional standards—they’re not akin Wizards' woeful squads instead housing solid core group relatively inexpensive contracts existing young performers capable bouncing back rapidly sans reliance solely dependent Williamson alone despite ceiling differences lacking perhaps same heights achieved pre-injury periods witnessed earlier stages however stability gained post-trade seems plausible transitioning phase ensuring foundation stays intact evaluating capacities accurately gauged determining roster strengths leading possible pathways toward improvement down road just around corner awaiting exploration soon after concluding trades taking place concurrently simultaneously alongside drafting processes occurring right afterward subsequently establishing trust levels ingrained within organizational framework eventually leveraging assets amassed strategically bolstering team depth accordingly enhancing competitiveness going forth!” < p > Even granting scenario wherein inevitably winds up playing elsewhere unlikely traditional destinations appeal-wise still provides ample chances unlocking true capabilities once reestablished conditions arise fulfilling original promise displayed early days—the former Duke phenom dubbed “monster”. Should Miami secure acquisition igniting revival efforts transforming version resembling collegiate dominance only adds intrigue following developments transpiring beyond borders separating southern Louisiana region nearing conclusion presently unfolding narratives shaping trajectories heading onward collectively intertwined fates await discovery whether fortunes favor new beginnings ushered transitionary phases envisaging brighter horizons lying ahead offering fresh starts anew amidst uncertainty lingering overhead casting shadows above everyone involved alike...< / p >
