Zion Williamson’s new contract will the biggest story of the season for the New Orleans Pelicans. Williamson has been considered himself willing to sign an extension, as he said at the end-of-the-season media session.
“I couldn’t sign it fast enough,” the Pelicans’ superstar claimed on April.
However, the Pelicans are not sure Zion will be available, as he struggled with several injury issues during the first three seasons of his career. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, New Orleans is not willing to offer a full five-year guaranteed deal right now.
Insight from @WindhorstESPN on the upcoming contract extension between Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans.
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— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) May 27, 2022
Williamson’s max extension projects to be worth $182 million-$195 million over five years. The number will go up if the explosive forward make an All-NBA team next season. Can the Pelicans work out a deal with to include incentives regarding his availability.
New Orleans has Williamson under contract through next season. If he hits 2023 free agency, the Pelicans can make him restricted, giving them the right to match any offer. As a result, they can keep Williamson even if he hit the market next offseason.
There’s obviously a lot to negotiate. The Pelicans finished the season having the upper hand as they made several win-now moves last February adding a veteran leader and great scoring guard like CJ McCollum.
It’s still unclear what’s the franchise’s motivation and if New Orleans will offer a deal that will include less than the max money. Williamson is a force of nature when healthy, but he hasn’t played a game since the 2020-21 season.
Williamson appeared in 61 games during the 2020-21 season. He averaged 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game shooting 61.1 percent from the field.
