The New Orleans Pelicans have selected Zion Williamson with the first overall pick, and their post-Anthony Davis era begins.
Williamson will be the new face of the Pelicans. That may be a lot to ask from a soon-to-be 19-year-old kid who just spent one year in college, but that's also what being the first overall pick means.
While the hype surrounding Zion is enormous, the truth is, he's still just a rookie. So, what should fans expect from him in his maiden season in the NBA?
Here are some predictions.
3. He will win Rookie of the Year
Say what you want about Ja Morant and RJ Barrett's NBA readiness, but the truth of the matter is if Zion is as good as people say he is, he should be the front-runner to be next season's Rookie of the Year.
A prediction: Zion will average 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block. He will also shoot around 50 percent from the field, thanks in part to those lob passes he'll get from Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday.
Some problems Williamson will have during the first few months of his rookie season are going against the bigger, bulkier forwards in the league and dealing with NBA athleticism around the rim. But he will get used to the physicality and athleticism of the NBA as the season progresses, and if he develops a jumper, watch out.
Of course, Morant and Barrett, among others, will make a case for Rookie of the Year honors. Whether or not Zion wins the award, the race for it will be extremely close.
2. He will NOT lead the Pelicans to the playoffs
Even if Williamson lives up to expectations in his rookie season, he will not be able to lead the Pelicans to the playoffs. The team, as currently constructed, does not have what it takes to be in the top eight of the loaded Western Conference.
Aside from Zion, they have promising players like Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and whomever they select with the fourth pick. They also have a proven veteran in Jrue Holiday, but that's just not enough.
Simply put, there are a lot of uncertainties surrounding the team. Will Lonzo Ball stay healthy and be able to shoot better next season? Is Brandon Ingram really 100 percent healthy following surgery to remove blood clots from his shoulder? Will Jrue Holiday finish the season with the team? The answers to these questions will play a significant role in the outcome of the Pelicans' season.
It's not all about Williamson.
1. He will NOT be the best newcomer in New Orleans
While Zion will be next season's Rookie of the Year, he will not be the best newcomer on the team, at least in his first season.
That distinction will go to Brandon Ingram, assuming he is 100 percent healthy next season. Most of the attention will be on Zion's development, but Ingram is someone who has something to prove and is primed for a breakout season.
Ingram showed flashes of superstar potential after becoming the No. 2 overall pick in 2016, but he hasn't been able to be consistent because of injuries, adjustments or simply because of the fact that he was never really given the chance to be the cornerstone in LA.
Zion's performance next season will not be overshadowed by Ingram's improvement, but the latter is severely motivated to prove himself to the rest of the league, and that's what he's going to do.
What's next for Zion Williamson?
Everybody is hoping Zion will be able to meet or exceed the expectations for him next season, but fans shouldn't overreact if he struggles a bit and doesn't meet those lofty expectations.
Don't hate the kid if he fails to do something you thought he'd be able to do. If he lives up to the hype, good for him.
If he has an underwhelming season, he can work on his game in the future.
The bottom line is this: Zion Williamson has plenty of time to develop into an NBA superstar.
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