The New Orleans Pelicans are going to be in a battle to claim one of the NBA Play-In Tournament spots in the Western Conference. That is assuredly what everyone on the team is focused on, but they keep finding their way into headlines but not for good reasons.
Recently, a lot of the attention has been on Zion Williamson, who isn’t even with the team as he rehabs from a procedure on his foot. That is where a lot of the issues are stemming from, as Williamson has been dragged through the media in recent days for how he is handling things.
J.J. Redick, a former teammate of his with the Pelicans, ripped him apart during an appearance on ESPN. Redick called him a detached teammate and said this isn’t a new trend for Williamson this season. Redick focused on Williamson not reaching out and talking to new teammates CJ McCollum and Larry Nance Jr. since they were acquired in a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Another former NBA player, Matt Barnes, offered his opinion as well. Barnes didn’t play with the Pelicans and wasn’t as critical as Redick was, but doesn’t believe Williamson wants to be in New Orleans. As Barnes stated, Williamson’s family has been angling for him to leave the Pelicans since he was selected No. 1 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
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Now, we are finally getting a little perspective from Zion Williamson’s side as to why some of this may be occurring. According to NOLA.com, a lot of the issues between the two sides stem from Williamson not trusting the organization, specifically, executive vice president of basketball operations, David Griffin.
“The detachment Williamson has shown with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources inside and outside the organization have often cited, is because of a lack of trust,” Clark reported.
“Williamson and his camp didn’t trust Griffin to be truthful,” Clark added.
If Williamson does not have trust in the organization, it will always be tough for the two sides to move forward. What he doesn’t trust, has not been specified. Could it be that Williamson doesn’t trust the team when it comes to his rehab?
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It is anyone’s guess as to why he feels that way, but it is clear that there are issues between the two sides. Winning basketball games will help mask some of the issues, but the New Orleans Pelicans are struggling to do that consistently without Williamson in the lineup.
He has not appeared in a game yet this season, as he has missed more games than he has played in during his NBA career so far. The team has a chance to make a push with McCollum joining Brandon Ingram as the go-to scorers, but until Zion Williamson gets on the court, this team will not reach their full potential.
