The New Orleans Pelicans are trying like hell to get Zion Williamson to work on his fitness, but the franchise player is tuning them out -- this according to a new report.
The 2019 No. 1 overall pick appeared gassed throughout the Pels' In-Season Tournament semifinal game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday ... something many analysts pointed out as a reason why it was a 133-89 blowout in favor of LeBron James and Co.
Of course, Zion's size has always been a hot topic since he entered the league ... and the team even reportedly implemented a weight clause in the five-year extension he signed last season that would penalize him if the sum of his weight and body percentage surpassed 295.
FYI -- Zion reportedly weighs in at 284.
Zion's got his eyes on the prize 👀🏆
— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2023
Pelicans-Lakers | In-Season Tournament Semifinals | 9pm/et on TNT 🏆 pic.twitter.com/1fsZ97EwsK
According to Christian Clark of NOLA.com, the Pelicans have continuously told Williamson he has to work on his diet and conditioning ... but simply put -- he "doesn't listen."
Zion admitted after the Pels' loss that he needs to be more aggressive on the court ... but it certainly sounds like the team is expecting improvement off it, too.