Zion Williamson's absence has become a significant concern for the New Orleans Pelicans, as it is now classified as indefinite. Along with him, several key players, including CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III, are also missing games, leading to a complete collapse of the team's performance. With the depth of the Western Conference, the Pelicans may need to consider a strategic shift towards securing a higher draft pick for the future, which could involve cautious return timelines for injured players and potential trades.