Former NBA guard Lindsey Hunter criticized New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson on the Crossover Podcast, per Basketball Network, saying, “He got a problem. The man’s a sex addict. He’s been caught. He needs help.”
Hunter added, “Why does he keep texting them from his phone? … He’s going for like p-rnstars. What is wrong with him? He needs to chill out. They need to give him therapy. Talking to him is not gonna help. I’m sure people have talked to him already… That means you have a problem. Can’t control himself.”
Williamson, 25, entered the NBA with high expectations, earning Rookie of the Year in 2020 and two All-Star selections. His career has been repeatedly impacted by injuries, limiting him to 242 games over six seasons.
This season, Williamson is averaging 22.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 58.7 percent from the field and failing to make a three-pointer through 28 games. Despite the strong efficiency inside the paint, his overall impact is muted by limited availability and off-court distractions.
The Pelicans sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 10-34 record, struggling to compete without consistent contributions from their star forward. Trey Murphy III leads the team with 22.2 points per game, while Williamson’s teammates carry the scoring load in his absence at times.
Hunter’s remarks follow reports linking Williamson to alleged affairs with online personalities, fueling speculation about his focus and professionalism. Tim Hardaway, also commenting on the situation, called Williamson’s behavior “compulsive” and “distracting” for the team.
