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However, his playing weight remained an issue, and while he showed immense potential, injuries would soon interfere with his ascent.

The Downward Spiral

As his career progressed, it became apparent that Zion struggled with maintaining his weight. While some analysts held out hope for his return to form, others pointed to a troubling pattern of injury and weight gain that endangered his future. The Pelicans finally awarded him a max contract extension but with strict stipulations focusing on his weight management—indicative of the organization’s anxiety about his health.