Zion Williamson was asked about his relationship with the New Orleans Pelicans and David Griffin on media day on Monday.
"That might be the best question of the day," said Williamson. "I love it here. I love the city of New Orleans. I don't want to be anywhere else."
A report last week detailed frustrations Williamson and others have had with Griffin.
"It's all love with me and Griff," said Williamson.
Elliot Clough/Boot Krewe Media
Zion Williamson underwent surgery for a fractured right foot in the offseason.
Williamson is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
Williamson and his family met with David Griffin, Trajan Langdon and Aaron Nelson to discuss a return to play.
The New Orleans Pelicans have signed Zylan Cheatham and Jared Harper to fill out their camp roster. Both players were signed to non-guaranteed training camp deals.
Cheatham played for New Orleans during the 2019-20 season on a Two-Way contract. He was then part of a complicated sign-and-trade deal with the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder that saw Jrue Holiday land with the Bucks and Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe with the Pelicans.
Cheatham was then waived by Oklahoma City and spent 2020 training camp with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He then played for the Iowa Wolves in the G League bubble. Cheatham averaged 10.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in the bubble.
Harper was with the New York Knicks on a Two-Way contract last season. He played only 16 minutes over NBA games in 2020-21. In the G League bubble, Harper scored 21.3 points and dished out 6.9 assists per game.
The way the New Orleans Pelicans handled Zion Williamson's return from meniscus surgery during his rookie season "caused significant tension between him and the team's medical staff," sources tell The Times Picayune.
The relationship between Williamson and David Griffin had also begun to sour during his rookie season. Griffin tried hard to forge a bond but they communicate infrequently now. While the Pelicans were in the bubble, Griffin asked to meet with Williamson and played the piano for him.
Some who spoke to The Times-Picayune for their story said they feel there is a discrepancy between what Griffin sold and what he has delivered.
When “The Last Dance” documentary aired in April 2020, some staffers began referring to Griffin as “Griff Krause” in a group text in a reference to Jerry Krause.
This offseason, the Pelicans undid many of the major moves Griffin made the previous offseason by firing Stan Van Gundy as well as trading Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams.
J.J. Redick announced his retirement from basketball on his The Old Man and the Three show. Redick played in the NBA for 15 seasons.
Redick spent the first six-and-a-half years of his career with the Orlando Magic. He was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2012-13 season. Redick then played the next four years with the LA Clippers, before moving on to the Philadelphia 76ers for two seasons. Redick then signed with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019. He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks at the 2021 trade deadline.
Over 940 regular season games, Redick averaged 12.8 points per game. Redick was one of the NBA's most-feared shooters, as he shot 41.5% from behind the arc for his career. In the regular season, Redick buried 1,950 three-pointers.
During his career, Redick's teams made the playoffs in 14-of-15 seasons. In 110 postseason games, Redick averaged 10.9 points and shot 37.1% on three-pointers.
Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux), Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer (@JonathanTjarks) and Rob Mahoney of The Ringer (@RobMahoney) go in-depth on the NBA’s Southwest Division.
They discuss how the Rockets, Pelicans, Spurs, Mavericks and Grizzlies fared in the off-season, including which teams improved and what moves stood out. The three also predict the season to come, including projected finish, breakout players and rookies they are most excited to see.
Isaiah Thomas will work out for the Golden State Warriors next week.
Thomas was previously linked with the Los Angeles Lakers until they signed Rajon Rondo.
Thomas played briefly last season with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The New Orleans Pelicans have signed Jared Harper and James Banks III on camp deals.
Harper appeared in eight games last season with the New York Knicks.
Bankes went undrafted in 2020 and played last season in Israel.
Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) and Arturo Galletti (@AmericanNumbers) break down the over/under win totals for the Western Conference heading into the 21-22 season.
They discuss the win total, division, conference and title odds as well as any pertinent individual award lines for the Thunder (3:18), Rockets (14:00), Spurs (20:42), Timberwolves (24:19), Kings (29:55), Pelicans (37:16), Grizzlies (46:42), Trail Blazers (51:45), Clippers (59:06), Nuggets (1:05:03), Warriors (1:12:12), Mavericks (1:21:22), Suns (1:31:11), Lakers (1:37:44) and Jazz (1:48:59).
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