NEW ORLEANS — Zion Williamson agreed to a five-year, $193 million extension on Saturday that has the potential to be worth $231 million, two people familiar with the situation said.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because NBA rules do not allow the extension to become official until July 6.
The deal sets up the 6-foot-6, 280-pound high-scoring forward to give an All-Star-caliber boost to a team that recently proved it could make the playoffs without him.
ESPN first reported the deal, citing information provided by Williamson’s agent, Austin Brown.
The move signifies a desire by Duke’s No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft to see how much his return can help a team that improved dramatically late last season and made a surprisingly competitive playoff run.
It’s also a show of faith on the part of the Pelicans in the injury-plagued Williamson, who played a combined 85 games in his first three NBA seasons — and missed all of last season with a foot injury.
This spring, New Orleans won two Western Conference play-in games before taking top-seeded Phoenix to six games in the first round of the 2022 playoffs. They did so with a team led by high-scoring wing Brandon Ingram, veteran guard C.J. McCollum , center Jonas Valanciunas and a supporting cast of young, hungry players who thrived under first NBA head coach Willie Green.
A season earlier, Williamson averaged a team-high 27 points and became a first-time All-Star in what was his only NBA campaign that wasn’t mostly or entirely wiped out by injuries.
Williamson played in just 24 games as a rookie because of a preseason right knee injury (lateral meniscus).
He played in 61 of 72 games in his second season. But he injured his leg during the 2021 offseason while doing basketball drills with his stepfather, to whom he had previously entrusted his offseason training.
The Pelicans did not disclose the injury until the first day of training camp in September, saying they hoped to have him ready to play by the time the regular season opens on Oct. 20. Williamson initially agreed to this schedule, which turned out to be extremely optimistic. He missed the entire regular season and the playoffs.
Williamson also chose to spend a significant portion of the season away from New Orleans and the Pelicans. He chose to rehabilitate in Oregon, where his shoe sponsor Nike is based.
During that time, the Pelicans offered few updates on Williamson, any mention of whom was later conspicuously absent from the Pelicans’ promotional materials regarding season ticket renewals for the 2022-23 season.
When the season ended, Williamson said that if New Orleans offered a max extension, he “wouldn’t be able to sign him fast enough.”
He was also recently cleared to participate in basketball activities without restrictions.
Without Williamson, the Pelicans started 1-12 last season but have steadily climbed into contention for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
They had begun to improve even before they acquired McCollum from Portland two days before the NBA trade deadline. McCollum helped them rally to win the ninth and home game.
The Pelicans beat No. 10 San Antonio. They then won a second play-in game over the Los Angeles Clippers to advance to the first round of the playoffs against top seed Phoenix
New Orleans won twice in that series before falling in six games.
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