JJ Redick Rips Into Zion Williamson on 'First Take'

Zion Williamson has not stepped on the court this season. He suffered a foot injury over the offseason and has suffered a series of setbacks that continually push back his predicted date to return. It's a situation that has been very murky from the start. The New Orleans Pelicans have been dodgy about details and the rumors have not reflected favorably upon their relationship with their superstar. Whispers about Zion dealing with his rehab far away from team facilities compounded with reports about the discontent of his family with the organization this summer do not paint a good picture.

On a related note, the Pelicans decided that, regardless of Williamson's status, they believe they have a good team this year and aren't folding. Instead, they pulled off a big trade for C.J. McCollum to help push their roster into the back end of the Western Conference playoff picture. McCollum revealed over All-Star Weekend that, despite getting traded to New Orleans nearly two weeks prior, he has not yet spoken to Williamson.

J.J. Redick, who spent two seasons as Williamson's teammate, went on First Take this morning to discuss that and blasted Williamson.

Redick drew upon his own personal experience to say that Williamson was a "detached" teammate when he was in New Orleans and this news is a clear sign that hasn't changed. Redick appeared both astonished and a little angry that Williamson could not meet the bare minimum requirement of sending a text to a guy who just got traded to your team. It's the type of thing Redick did his whole career and, as he himself noted, Redick was never even close to the level Williamson is in terms of talent or importance to his organization.

It's one thing for Williamson to get blasted by a sports media talking head who may be well-informed but has never shared a locker room with the former No. 1 overall pick. It is another thing entirely for Redick to be this hard on Williamson. Redick is informed by personal experience and 15 NBA seasons. He's as reliable as it gets when it comes to this situation-- and his comments are extremely concerning.

The situation with Williamson continues to detoriate and should be very concerning to not only the Pelicans but any team thinking about trying to pry him away from New Orleans.