Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter |
Zion Williamson was excited about the prospect of playing for the Knicks before Tuesday's NBA Draft Lottery.
That, coupled with the ever-present amateur body language readers on social media, led to speculation on Wednesday that Williamson wasn't happy about the possibility of landing with the Pelicans.
The speculation was even talked about among some opposing executives on Wednesday.
It's all unfounded, though. Williamson's stepfather, Lee Anderson, said on ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge on Thursday that Williamson is 'excited about the prospect' of playing for the Pelicans.
"One thing that Zion has always been taught, 'You accept the things that you can't change and change the things that you can change.' And this is one of the things that he had nothing to do with," Anderson said. "It's the process of the NBA. Certainly, we're excited about the Crescent City down in New Orleans."
According to The Athletic, Williamson met with the Pelicans and Grizzlies on Wednesday.
Williamson still has the option to return to school under current NBA Draft rules but that is also not under consideration, Anderson told the radio station.
So it appears that the Knicks -- and 28 other NBA teams -- can forget about the idea that Williamson would force his way out of New Orleans.
Ahead of the NBA Draft Lottery, Williamson was looking forward to the opportunity to play in New York and excited about the prospect of being a Knick, SNY sources said, confirming an ESPN report.
The Knicks landed the No. 3 pick and it's widely assumed that they will take Duke's RJ Barrett with the pick. New York will likely listen to offers -- and make calls -- on potential trades up and down the draft.
But if they stay put, Barrett would be the safe pick. ESPN reported on Wednesday that Memphis was locked in on selecting Murray State point guard Ja Morant, so Barrett should be there at No. 3 for New York.