Stepdad expects Zion Williamson to play for New Orleans Pelicans this season

Zion Williamson's stepfather, Lee Anderson, said he expects Williamson to return to play this season but understands that it's a decision that has to be made with the New Orleans Pelicans' medical staff with a look toward not only the present but also the future.

Anderson made the comments on Tuesday to «The Jordy Culotta Show,» an online show based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

When asked directly whether he thought Williamson could return this season from a fractured right foot that has kept him out the entire season, Anderson said that it was a «tough» question to answer but that he did think so.

«I expect him to play. If you were to ask Zion, I'm sure he would probably say the same thing,» Anderson said. «But with just a couple of games left, with the magnitude of what's going on in New Orleans and the opportunity to qualify for the play-in game and possibly get into a seven-game series, that would be off the charts in the city of New Orleans. That would be a plus in New Orleans. That would be a plus for Zion with the way things are right now.»

«Do I expect him to play? Certainly I do. That's on me, though. That's purely me. I don't think there's anything else that would hinder him from doing that right now.»

Williamson has been cleared by the Pelicans to do one-on-one work as he continues his rehab. He did travel with New Orleans on its current four-game road trip to continue doing work with the Pelicans' training staff. Anderson didn't say whether Williamson has done any more work but did mention that the Pelicans staff has talked about looking at the long-term picture.

«He's feeling great,» Anderson said. «Speaking for the Pelicans staff, and not saying any names, they mentioned to me that they are just one player