The rocky relationship between Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans is among the top emerging storylines in the NBA. Recently, it went as far as being described as the two sides as having “no relationship.”
Given how significant the stakes are, the Pelicans have made overtures in an attempt to improve their relationship with Williamson, according to NBA insider Will Guillory of The Athletic.
Those attempts included a meeting between Williamson and the team represented by owner Gayle Benson and president of basketball operations David Griffin at the team headquarters.
“Williamson and Griffin met last week at team headquarters to discuss the offseason, and Griffin brought Williamson over to meet with Pelicans governor Gayle Benson,” Guillory wrote.
With Williamson being an expecting father, Benson offered what was described as “a more direct line of communication” for the superstar if he viewed it as necessary.
“The meeting was mostly positive, according to a league source not authorized to discuss it publicly. Benson congratulated Williamson on the recent news that he’s expecting to have a baby with his girlfriend in the near future,” Guillory wrote. “Benson also offered to have a more direct line of communication with Williamson in the future if he felt that was necessary, according to that source.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
While the Pelicans want to move up in the draft to select Scoot Henderson, they have yet to include Williamson in any formal trade offers to the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers. The Hornets have the second pick, while the Hornets have the third pick.
Williamson has only played in 114 games with the Pelicans since being selected as the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke. He has career averages of 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Zion signed a five-year, $194.3 million designated rookie contract extension with the Pelicans in July 2022.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
There have been several questions about Williamson’s diet and commitment to basketball. It will be interesting to track Williamson’s career moving forward, given his high hopes and expectations for his career and impact on the Pelicans.
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