DeMarcus Cousins' take on Zion Williamson and Pelicans is spot on

Over the past two seasons, Williamson has put in significant work on his body and his conditioning. You can see the progress he's made when he suits up on the court. However, as a front office, you must ensure you're putting talents in a position to succeed. 

Perhaps the Pelicans should have done some additional due diligence on Williamson's projected fit outside of the basketball court.

Furthermore, it was clear the Duke standout wanted to land with a big market roster. Rumors linking him with the New York Knicks have persisted throughout his tenure in the NBA. 

Cousins' comments are right on the money. Yes, Williamson was the most talented player in his draft. He had all the tools to become a generational star. However, his off-court situation should have been a bigger factor for the Pelicans. Now, they continue rolling the dice on building around a star that clearly needs a fresh start away from New Orleans. 

Williamson can still be an elite talent in the NBA. Unfortunately, that's unlikely to happen with the Pelicans. He needs a change of scenery. New Orleans would be wise to cash in and pivot toward a soft reset. Otherwise, they're going to keep going round and round with Williamson and his inability to stay healthy long-term.