The drama in New Orleans continues. Some members of Zion Williamson‘s family would prefer that the former No. 1 overall pick plays elsewhere, with some outside of the organization viewing it as a “heap of dysfunction,” per Shams Charania, Joe Vardon, and William Guillory of The Athletic.
Williamson will play under his third coach since coming into the league with Pelicans after the franchise parted ways with Stan Van Gundy on Wednesday. There were rumors that the relationship between Van Gundy and Brandon Ingram became “strained” during the course of the season, though Williamson wasn’t mentioned in the report.
Another pain point was the team trading away J.J. Redick at the trade deadline. Members of Williamson’s family were “irritated” with the move.
Despite how his family feels, Williamson remains committed to the franchise, per The Athletic’s scribes. The former Duke Bluedevil is under contract for two more seasons before his hits restricted free agency.
More NBA Rumors
- The Pelicans intend to try and trade Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams, per The Athletic (same piece). The franchise would like to move at least one of the two if it can’t trade both.
- Raptors guard Kyle Lowry is expected to be atop the Heat’s free-agent wish list this offseason, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. Lowry’s close relationship with Jimmy Butler is one of the reasons the Heat may pursue the veteran. Miami was in the running for the point guard at this season’s deadline.
- Mavericks VP of basketball operations Michael Finley is a serious candidate for the team’s general manager position, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times. The Mavs parted ways with former GM Donnie Nelson after 24 years with the franchise and have a search firm in place to assist with finding the right candidate.
- Rumors of Heat coach Erik Spoelstra being a candidate for the Trail Blazers are dead, Travis Demers of Rip City reported, citing a source close to the situation. Spolestra has been Miami’s coach since 2008 and that is where he is staying, Demers wrote.
- Pelicans assistant Fred Vinson, Lakers assistant Jason Kidd, and Bucks assistant Charles Lee are among the early candidates to replace Stan Van Gundy in New Orleans, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Woj also mentions Jacque Vaughn and Ime Udoka,both of whom are Nets assistants.
