The New Orleans Pelicans gave the best team in the regular season a real scare, taking two games against the Phoenix Suns in the first round. The fact that they did it without their most dynamic talent in Zion Williamson speaks volumes about what the team could achieve next season—emphasis on “next season.”

When it came to Zion Williamson's prospects of returning during the series, it was thinking about the future that gave New Orleans pause. If you asked Zion Williamson himself, though, he was ready to contribute.

Via ESPN's Andrew Lopez:

Zion said he felt like could’ve played but his team + the coaching staff + the front office decided longevity was the best thing for him.

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While Williamson never got truly close to being cleared by the club before the Pelicans were eliminated, they were able to achieve the next best thing. The team flashed its immense potential without him, which cultivated his desire to want to rejoin his teammates.

“Being real, it sucks watching from the sideline. I just want to be out there. Just seeing the potential. We have a lot of great pieces. I'm excited to get out on the court with those guys.”

After a season that sparked whispers of his desire to skip town, that's all Pelicans fans could ask for. They weren't able to advance past the first round, but New Orleans has the makings of the team on the cusp of contention if the stars align and Zion Williamson stays healthy. If that last part holds true, it's hard to argue otherwise.