Zion Williamson is expected to remain with the New Orleans Pelicans long-term, after signing a rookie max contract extension. The deal is for five years, worth up to $231M, and includes a lot of protections because of Zion’s injury history.
New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has agreed on a five-year, $193 million designated maximum rookie extension that could earn him as much as $231 million, CAA Sports’ Co-Head of Basketball Austin Brown tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/z4lnVLD1GM
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022
Despite the number of protections in the new deal, the young big man is excited about re-signing with the franchise that selected him with No.1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
“Zion Williamson was ecstatic to sign this new contract to stay in New Orleans.. this is a deal he wanted to get done,” Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
"Zion Williamson was ecstatic to sign this new contract to stay in New Orleans.. this is a deal he wanted to get done" ~@ShamsCharania
ATTA BABY ZION #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/x7bxLXzPcC
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 5, 2022
Over the past three seasons, Zion Williamson has appeared in only 85 games with the Pelicans. In 2020/21, his best season so far, he averaged 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists, on 61.1% from the field.
On May 26, the Pelicans cleared the former All-Star to return to play without restrictions, giving him the opportunity to do individual work and return to full form ahead of the season start.