New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson has been garnering plenty of NBA headlines in recent days, but not for anything positive. He remains sidelined without a timetable to return to the court, but he was ripped apart by former teammate, J.J. Redick, during an appearance on ESPN.
Redick blasted Williamson for being a detached teammate after news circulated that he had yet to talk to CJ McCollum, who the Pelicans acquired, along with Larry Nance Jr., ahead of the trade deadline from the Portland Trail Blazers. Redick acknowledges that Williamson is away from the team because of his injury, but that shouldn’t excuse a player from reaching out to a new teammate.
Redick played with the New Orleans Pelicans for parts of two seasons so he isn’t a random outsider just blasting Williamson without some inner knowledge of how things are working within the organization. It is a troubling trend based on what Redick has seen.
Today, another former NBA player, Matt Barnes, joined the fray. He wasn’t critical of Williamson specifically but instead touched on the trouble that these teams are having keeping star players in town.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson May Need Second Surgery; Impact On Pelicans
Barnes doesn’t believe Zion Williamson wants to be in New Orleans, citing his family’s wishes for him to be somewhere else from the start of his career. Operating as a small market team is already difficult before dealing with players wanting to leave before their contracts are concluded.
The Pelicans just went through a similar situation with Anthony Davis, who eventually got his wish and landed with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Davis gave the franchise that selected him No. 1 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft seven seasons to get it right.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson May Need Second Surgery; Impact On Pelicans
New Orleans tried to build a winner, acquiring All-Star DeMarcus Cousins at one point, but things didn’t work out and Davis eventually asked for a trade. Williamson is in the third season of his rookie deal and has missed more games than he has played in.
David Griffin created what could be a strong trio when he acquired McCollum to combine with Brandon Ingram and Williamson. However, for that to work, Williamson has to get on the court and play in some games.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson May Need Second Surgery; Impact On Pelicans
If Zion Williamson is adamant about not playing for the New Orleans Pelicans, they may be better off trading him now than later. His injuries are a major concern so if they want to get any value for him, trading him sooner than later will yield the best return and the team can build around Ingram as their young All-Star.
