(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
As if superstar forward Zion Williamson missing a ton of games to start his NBA career for the New Orleans Pelicans wasn’t bad enough, the former Duke star’s admission that he is facing mental hurdles as he tries to get back on the floor isn’t sitting well with some people.
By all accounts, Williamson is physically healthy enough to get back to work, but he’s not confident he can play at the level he’s capable of, which has kept him sidelined.
Former NBA star Stephen Jackson is the latest to call out Williamson for not being there for his team, as the Pelicans recently fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Play-in Tournament.
Stephen Jackson calls out Zion Williamson for not playing last night
“I think your teammates will respect you more if you try to give it a shot”
(Via @shobasketball )
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 13, 2023
Jackson has a point when it comes to simply getting out there on the floor to see what he’s got, as Williamson has nothing to lose at this point, and sitting on the bench isn’t helping his team.
To make matters worse in New Orleans, Williamson is under contract through the 2027-28 NBA season, with the Pelicans paying an incredibly high price on an annual basis for a player that rarely sees the basketball floor.
Williamson will earn $33.5 million next season with an annual salary that will rise every year, leading to him making $44.2 million in the 2027-28 campaign.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that went all in on Williamson, as the future is uncertain, to say the least.
So despite making a great move to keep Brandon Ingram, who has played well since landing with the team, Williamson’s situation is concerning for the Pelicans moving forward.
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