After the conclusion of the New Orleans Pelicans’ 23-24 season, Zion Williamson had a dialog with David Griffin the place what was mentioned resonated with him and strengthened a shift in how their partnership has advanced over the previous 12 months.
“He instructed me he was actually pleased with me. He instructed me he trusts me,” Williamson relays. “He absolutely trusts me. There weren’t any extra small doubts.”
Williamson’s identify surfaced in commerce rumors because the Pelicans sought to maneuver up within the 2023 draft to pick out Scoot Henderson. Williamson was by no means included in any formal commerce talks, however the presence of his identify in rumors indicated a number of the pressure that had grown between participant and franchise. Williamson had realized over the previous 12 months that he wanted to earn the belief of the Pelicans by making particulars each massive and small an enormous precedence.
“I need to be one in every of them ones. I’ve been speaking about it and I’ve been making errors (alongside the best way),” Williamson mentioned. “That stuff can’t occur. It’s time to take each sport private.”
Williamson has had a dedicated exercise regiment this offseason the place he begins at 6 AM 5 days every week after which follows it up with a 9 PM exercise.
“I’m out for straight vengeance,” Williamson mentioned. “Not in opposition to any specific individual. Only for myself.”
