It’s been almost two weeks since the New Orleans Pelicans have traded for former Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum and he has yet to be contacted by new teammate Zion Williamson — the Pelicans' first overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
“I haven’t had conversations with him directly… 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,” McCollum told ESPN.
This news didn’t sit well with retired 15-year NBA veteran JJ Reddick, who called Williamson a “detached teammate.”
Redick, who played with Williamson from 2019 to 2021, said that this behaviour is a pattern and went on to accuse the Pelicans' franchise player of showing a “lack of investment” in the team as well as the organization. Redick made no excuses for Williamson being away from the team rehabbing his foot injury.
“It’s the bare minimum,” he said on ESPN's First Take when it comes to being a teammate as he continued to criticize the 21-year old power forward.
Williamson has been absent from the team for the entire season rehabbing a foot injury he initially sustained in the off-season. After undergoing surgery, he was expected to be back at the beginning of the regular season but following multiple delays and continued soreness in his foot, his availability for the rest of the season is still in question.
