A woman has accused New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson of rape in addition to "sexual, physical, emotional and financial" abuse over the span of a multiyear relationship, according to a lawsuit submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday.

While new executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said he had been “advised not to venture into any of his legal issues” in an interview with The Times-Picayune, he made it clear the team intends to build around its former No. 1 overall pick.