The Pelicans are close to agreeing to a five-year rookie extension for forward Zion Williamson, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic ( Twitter link ).
According to Charania, this would be a max-salary deal that could be worth up to $231 million. That shows it will contain Rose Rule language that allows Williamson to qualify for a starting salary of 30 percent of the 2023/24 cap instead of 25 percent if he makes an All-NBA team next season.
Charania’s report did not include any details on how much of the contract would be fully guaranteed, which was believed to be the sticking point in the negotiations. He says (via Twitter) that the deal is expected to include some protections for the Pelicans and that the two sides worked out those details overnight.
We’ll have to wait for more details on that front, but it appears the two sides are on the verge of finding common ground relatively quickly after the former No. 1 overall pick officially became eligible for an extension.
The deal ends months of speculation that Williamson might turn down an extension offer from the Pelicans to play in a bigger market or for a more successful franchise. Williamson has tried to quash those rumors on several occasions by proclaiming his love for New Orleans, with his most recent comments coming three weeks ago at his youth basketball camp.
Injuries have derailed Williamson’s career since he entered the NBA as a highly touted No. 1 pick in 2019. He missed all of this season after undergoing foot surgery and has played a total of 85 games over three years. However, he showed signs of being a dominant force, averaging 25.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game and making the 2021 All-Star Game.
A healthy season from Williamson, who turns 22 later this week, could make the Pelicans a serious Western Conference contender. New Orleans staged a late-season surge after trading for CJ McCollum, advancing through the playoffs and into the first round of the playoffs. Williamson could be a difference maker for an already talented lineup, but he’ll have to prove he can stay on the court.
Based on the NBA’s latest $133 million cap projection for the 2023-24 season, Williamson’s deal would be worth $231.42 million if he meets Rose Rule criteria next season, or $192.85 million if he doesn’t do. This is without taking into account any defenses that may be included in the contract.
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