Zion Williamson has been fully cleared to play without any restrictions after missing the entire 21-22 season. Williamson will be eligible for a contract extension with the New Orleans Pelicans and their ownership appears to be unwilling to give him a fully guaranteed max contract.
“The big drama this summer is about Zion’s contract,” said Brian Windhorst on Get Up. “At the end of the season when he spoke to the media, he said he would happily sign an extension when it’s put in front of him. But it’s not that simple. Any player in his situation would sign a five-year guaranteed max contract.
“But from what I’ve been told, the Pelicans at this point are not willing to offer a full five-year guaranteed deal. And a lot of it is flowing down from ownership. Gayle Benson, the owner, is also the owner of the New Orleans Saints and I’ve been told they are going to take a football-style, Saints-style mentality with this contract negotiation. They will offer him a huge contract, but will not guarantee all of it.
“If Zion accepts those terms and still protects himself and maybe gets $100 million plus guaranteed, he signs it and everything is fine. If he doesn’t sign it and wants the full [contract] guaranteed, we can have some drama into the fall.”
