J.J. Redick says he issued profane challenge to Zion Williamson

The New Orleans Pelicans look pretty good after an offseason roster reshaping, but J.J. Redick was sure to issue a profane challenge to Zion Williamson.

J.J. Redick will go down as one of the best 3-point shooters of his era. He signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason, so he’ll add a veteran presence to David Griffin’s offseason roster reshaping that centered on the trade of Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Pelicans got the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery, and did the no-brainer move by taking Zion Williamson. New Orleans had another top-10 pick (center Jaxson Hayes) to go with the return in the trade for Davis (Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart), the signing of center Derrick Favors and the incumbent remaining star in guard Jrue Holiday.

But back to Redick. He has played for four teams, the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers, in 13 NBA seasons. He has also made the playoffs in all 13 of those seasons, so a streak is literally on the line this year as he lands on a new team.

During media day on Monday, Redick told reporters how his first “real” conversation with Williamson went.

https://twitter.com/TheCrossover/status/1178753510063640576?s=20

"My first conversation — real conversation — with Zion was a couple weeks ago. We got to chat for 20 minutes or so after one of the workouts. And the last thing I said to him. I said, ‘Look, man, don’t (expletive) this up for me.’"

The best part of the clip might be Williamson’s acknowledgement of what Redick said, while avoid the cuss word the veteran guard used.

"He did. He did. It was so funny. He was like — he had just given me some great advice, and then the whole mood shifted. He was like, ‘I’m 13 for 13. Don’t mess this up for me.’ I’m like, ‘JJ, why are you telling me? I’m a rookie.’"

It’s probably a hot take to say the Pelicans are better off without Davis. But they are a deeper team, and it’s not a stretch to say they will make some real noise in the Western Conference this season.