The New Orleans Pelicans are in a bit of disarray.
As former No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson continues to rehab a foot injury away from the team, it's what he's not doing that's made headlines. During NBA All-Star Weekend, Pelicans trade deadline acquisition CJ McCollum joined TNT's "Inside the NBA" crew, where he was asked if he has had an opportunity to speak with Williamson, to which he provided a concerning response.
MORE: The latest on Zion Williamson's foot injury
"I haven't had conversations with him directly," McCollum said. "I've spoken with some people close to him and look forward to sitting down with him sooner than later. I know about as much as you do right now, but I'm gonna get to the bottom of it."
On Tuesday, former Pelicans guard JJ Redick joined ESPN's "First Take," where he pulled no punches in sharing that this isn't a good look for Williamson.
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"This is a little bit insane to me," Redick began. "There's a general decorum of behavior that you should apply as a teammate."
Redick continued, citing numerous examples of when he would call or text new teammates regardless of their stature, adding that McCollum's standing as a top 50 player in the NBA makes it an even more absurd situation.
"This just shows a complete lack of investment in your team, in your organization, in your city," Redick continued. "You just traded for one of the 50 best players in the league – a guy that's supposed to be paired with you. Reach out and say 'hello'"
Redick, who was Williamson's teammate in New Orleans for a season and a half, is certainly qualified to speak on the situation. He then brought in examples from his time with the Pelicans, adding "this is a pattern of behavior with Zion that we are seeing again and again.
"And look, I was his teammate, I can describe him as a detached teammate – that is an accurate statement. This is basic level of humanity of being a teammate – send a text to a guy when he gets traded to your team."
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The retired 15-year veteran added more context to the potentially dire state of things in New Orleans, referencing a recent email the Pelicans sent to season ticket holders that made no mention of Williamson as someone to watch in action.
The difference a year makes…. pic.twitter.com/yob7abzSie
— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) February 21, 2022
Stephen A. Smith was in complete agreement with Redick, which is a rarity for their dynamic on "First Take," adding that the Pelicans need Redick back in the locker room to impart such wisdom on the team.
Redick added that "this is something I addressed with Zion in front of the team. This is going back to his rookie year."
As he perceives Williamson as showing a lack of commitment to the Pelicans and the city of New Orleans, Redick suggested that there could be real truth to the rumblings that Williamson is ready to move on to another organization.
Williamson, who suffered a fractured right foot in the 2021 offseason, has yet to play this season after undergoing surgery to repair the fracture. It's been reported that Williamson continues to rehab in Oregon with a former LSU strength trainer.
Williamson is on the third year of his rookie-scale contract but this year becomes eligible to sign a five-year extension worth $181 million. Should he not sign an extension, Williamson can accept a qualifying offer worth $17.6 million for the 2023-24 season to become a restricted free agent in 2024.
