Pelicans, Zion nearing five-year rookie max extension

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson appears ready to sign a max deal. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Pelicans, Zion Williamson nearing five-year rookie max extension worth up to $231 million

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 7/1/22

New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin said in early June that offering star forward Zion Williamson a maximum contract extension would be "a pretty easy decision." It looks like that Griffin is staying true to his word.

Williamson said after the season ended, “I couldn’t sign it fast enough.” Indeed, the All-Star locks in commitment to New Orleans.

The deal is expected to include protections that both sides were sorting through overnight and will finalize, sources said. https://t.co/n0hyRwRk9e
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Since being selected first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, Williamson has played in just 85 games, equaling just over half of the Pelicans' contests. When on the court and healthy, there have been few as dominant as the Duke product though.

Zion in 85 career games:

25.7 PPG
7.0 RPG
60.4 FG%

He is currently the only player in NBA history averaging 25+ points on 60% shooting. pic.twitter.com/5U6fItB258
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 1, 2022

Williamson missed the entire 2021-2022 campaign with a foot injury, but in late May, he was cleared to return without any restrictions.

Even without the 2021 All-Star, New Orleans was able to recover from a slow start last season to squeak into the Play-In Tournament. The Pelicans advanced to the first round, where they took the defending Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns to six games before falling.

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