When he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Pelicans in 2019, there was an expectation that Zion Williamson would help in transforming the franchise. But playing more than 60 games in a season twice in his six-year career tells you everything you need to know about how it has worked out. He was in the firing line once after he was suspended for missing the team flight to team flight to Philadelphia, which was the latest disciplinary issue surrounding the power forward.

Williamson did return for the defeat in Boston and apologized for his actions while vowing to improve. “There is no excuse for being late to team activities. I have apologized to Mrs. Benson and my teammates and coaches, and I also owe an apology to the fans. I can and will be better as a teammate and member of this organization,” he said. However, Stephen A. Smith was not having it and went after the player for his lack of commitment.

Raising the issue on First Take on Monday, Smith said, “When it comes to Zion Williamson we don’t know why the hell this man is late, clearly it wasn’t the first time.” This was the first instance of Williamson not being on time. According to NBA reporter Chris Haynes, the Duke alum has been found to have been late for team training “multiple times” this season.

Including the game against Boston, Williamson has played only eight of the Pelicans’ 40 games. He returned to action against the Timberwolves on January 7 after a 27-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He couldn’t make the game against the Portland Trail Blazers and then missed his flight to Philadelphia. This led to further criticism from Smith.

“What are you late to anything for? You getting paid, checks don’t bounce, it’s coming into your account every month or twice a month whatever it is. You getting your money. He is stealing money. I say that not to question the legitimacy of his injury. I’m saying that to question his professionalism,” Smith said.

Williamson’s stint in NOLA has been plagued by injuries. A knee injury hampered his first season with the franchise when he tore his meniscus. The following season, he suffered a fractured thumb. Then he missed the entire 2021–22 season because of a fracture in his right foot. In 2022-23, Williamson missed the final 45 games of the regular season while recovering from a right hamstring strain.

Yet, the Pelicans didn’t hesitate to offer him a five-year contract extension through 2027-2028, though the last three years are non-guaranteed. The contract is a five-year deal paying him $193 million. Given the faith shown by the franchise in him, Stephen A. Smith doubled down on his criticism of Williamson, saying his antics and the suspension by NOLA put them in bad light.

“It makes them look bad. They’re the ones that invested in him, they’re the ones that gave him a contract extension even though it’s worded in a way that you know they could work around some things. But Zion doesn’t want to be in New Orleans,” he boldly claimed. “He doesn’t want to be there. He wants to be in a major market like LA, New York…He wants the marketability.”

With his injury history and discipline issues, it is hard to see a big market team taking a punt on Williamson. Hence, it might be better for him to get down to business in NOLA and prove his worth. He has shown remorse for his recent actions, but it remains to be seen how he will carry himself for the remainder of the season.

He has only featured in 8 games for his team this season. He has averaged 21.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists so far this season. While the Pelicans are languishing in 15th in the Western Conference, he has the chance to salvage his reputation. In his return against the Celtics, he put up another commendable effort with 16 points in 33 minutes to his name. If he can keep up more of the same, he might brush aside accusations of not doing his best for the team.

Meanwhile, despite being under scrutiny, Williamson found support from his teammate over the suspension drama

Zion Williamson backed by teammate despite suspension

Williamson is 24 and has plenty of time to navigate his career to flourish at the highest level. While questions have been raised over his commitment, there is no doubting his talent. His teammates have continued to be by his side as he looks to get his career back on track.

In the aftermath of this suspension, Dejounte Murray talked to Jared Weiss of The Athletic and expressed his hope that Williamson will turn things around and how he will continue to guide him.

Murray said, “I mean, I’mma keep it real with him. He’s sitting next to me on the plane, we’ve got a great relationship, and I talk to him about a lot more than sports. This is our job, we’re going to come here as (mentors), but a lot of us don’t understand what all of us go through outside of this.

So I just make sure he knows I’m here to listen. I support him, I want the best for him, but accountability is everything. So not to sugarcoat anything. It’s the past, it’s over. Hopefully, he grew from it and it doesn’t happen again.” That is the hope many Pelicans fans harbor and now it is up to Williamson to come through on his early career promise.