New Orleans Pelicans star Zayn Williamson has been absent from the court this season with a leg injury, but according to JJ Redick, Williamson has been absent as a teammate in the NBA full time.
"You have a responsibility as an athlete to be fully invested when you play a team sport," Reddick said on First Take on Tuesday. "You're totally invested in your body, you're totally invested in your work and you're totally invested in your teammates. It's your responsibility, and we haven't seen that from Zion."
Reddick and Williamson were teammates with the Pelicans for the past two seasons, before Reddick announced his retirement and joined ESPN as an NBA analyst before this season.
Reddick said he voiced his concerns with Williamson in New Orleans.
"It's something I addressed with Zion in front of the team," said Redick. "It's going back to his rookie year."
Williamson's potential issues as a teammate came to public notice during this past weekend's All-Star festivities when CJ McCallum said he had not spoken to Williamson because he had to travel from Portland to New Orleans on a trade deadline. business was done.
"I haven't spoken to him directly. I've spoken to some people close to him and look forward to sitting down with him as soon as possible," McCallum said on Saturday night. "I know as much about it as you know now, but I'm going to get to the bottom of it."
McCullum told ESPN owner Andrews on Tuesday morning that he had spoken to Williamson.
Reddick said Williamson's initial silence towards McCullum is part of a "pattern of behaviour".
"It just shows a complete lack of investment in your team, in the organization, in the city," said Redick. "I think he's injured and off the team, but you traded for one of the 50 best players in the league - a guy you should be linked with. Reach out and say, 'Hello.' It's a pattern of behavior with Zion that we're seeing over and over again. I was his teammate, I can describe him as a different teammate, that's an accurate statement."
Williamson has not played this season after a fracture in his right leg, which required surgery over the summer. After initial optimism that Williamson would return for the start of the season, his return has been delayed several times. He is currently working on his rehab away from the team, with sources telling ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that Williamson is rehabbing in Portland, Oregon, with the Pelicans' blessing.
While he has been healthy, Williamson has been a force to be reckoned with. He averaged 27 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 61 of the team's 72 matches last season.
"Yeah, he's amazing when he's on the court - 100%. He's amazing to watch. No one can do what he does on the basketball court ... but as a teammate, behave There is a pattern of, as a person fully invested in New Orleans, a pattern of behavior," said Redick. "This is worrisome."