Zion Williamson’s stalker drama has Pelicans ownership fuming with trade possible

In yet another disappointing season for Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, it seems the latest drama engulfing his personal life is “the straw that broke” team ownership’s back.

That’s according to a piece published Wednesday on In The N.O. by Shamit Dua, a contributor to the New Orleans-based WDSU, who noted ownership “was livid over Williamson’s recent off-court headlines,” with an individual “familiar with ownership’s thinking” calling the matter “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Dua’s piece comes on the heels of a recent WSDU report, in which an accused stalker romantically linked to Williamson — currently in the midst of a five-year, $197 million contract extension, per Spotrac — allegedly assaulted a rival love interest.

Ahkeema Love, who has a child with Williamson, is accused of stalking a woman connected to the 24-year-old athlete, hitting her and egging her home, according to the report.

Love was arrested after fleeing the scene.

She and Williamson made waves in June 2023 following their baby announcement.

Another bombshell dropped a short time later, when adult film star Moriah Mills claimed she had intimate relations with the former No. 1 overall pick.

In Dua’s piece Wednesday — which expanded on the job former Pistons executive Joe Dumars is inheriting as the Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations following David Griffin’s firing earlier this month — it’s noted Dumars is opening this professional chapter “with additional constraints: the mandates to trade Zion Williamson and keep [head coach] Willie Green.”

Williamson was reported to have been on the trading block in December.

The five-season union between Williamson and the Pelicans has long been choppy.

In addition to headlines that have often cast a negative light on the oft-injured 6-foot-6 product’s weight and conditioning, Williamson was suspended by the team in January for showing up late to a flight.

“I take full responsibility for this suspension,” he said in a statement via NBA.com. “I’ve worked extremely hard in rehab to get healthy to deliver for this team. There is no excuse for being late to team activities.”

Two months later, Williamson was shut down for the season due to a bone contusion in his back.

Williamson averaged 24.6 points in the 30 games he played this season, along with 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

The Pelicans finished their woeful season at 21-61.