There are deals flying left and right in the NBA right now, including with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pels made their future plans definitive and official on Friday morning as they doubled down on Zion Williamson and made him the face of the franchise until at least 2028.
New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is nearing a five-year rookie max contract extension worth up to $231 million, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The commitment will take Williamson’s new deal through the 2027-28 season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022
The Pels gave Williamson a five-year rookie max contract extension worth up to $231 million.
That’s a massive payday for the injury-prone star but it’s a sign that not only is he healthy again, he’s ready to lead the team to greatness.
As you can expect, fans of the Pelicans were delighted by the news.
Zion’s Back
For weeks now, New Orleans fans have been loving what they’ve seen from Williamson, who is seemingly not only healed from his foot injury but also improved.
Zion Williamson on the court pic.twitter.com/gbuRhEufX2
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 1, 2022
The man looks like an absolute beast and it’s causing people to remember just how talented he is.
Many people forget that Williamson had the most points in the paint since Shaquille O’Neal back in 1999.
Williamson is looking so strong, in fact, that people are worrying what he will do to other players in the league.
Chet Holmgren when he takes a charge from Zion Williamsonpic.twitter.com/cvJeEeGmOh
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) June 29, 2022
It’s been a while since Williamson played in the league – he’s been out of the game for over a year – so there are many athletes who will quickly remember just how powerful and special he is.
Expect some massive dunks and roughed-up players when Williamson is back on the court.
There is not a single NBA team that has a better young core than this:
Zion Williamson (21)
Brandon Ingram (24)
Herb Jones (23)
Trey Murphy III (22)
Dyson Daniels (19)
Jaxson Hayes (22)
Jose Alvarado (24)
Kira Lewis Jr (21)
EJ Liddell (21)— 🗿 (@PIutoP) June 24, 2022
But all fans are remembering that Williamson isn’t alone on the team.
Luckily, he is part of a very young up-and-coming squad that is getting increasingly deeper.
The team doesn’t begin and end with Williamson and that’s a very good thing.
He is now one piece in a much bigger, better puzzle.
NEXT: NBA Insider Shares Details Of The New Zion Williamson Contract