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NBA Season Preview 2022-23: Every team’s current longest-tenured player

By Luke Anton

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) during warm ups before game six against the Phoenix Suns of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) during warm ups before game six against the Phoenix Suns of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, 3 years

It seems like ancient history now, but Anthony Davis was still on the Pelicans and Brandon Ingram was still a Laker when the Pelicans landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, one Zion Williamson. Despite injury concerns and general uncertainty, Zion and the Pellies inked a five-year rookie max extension this summer worth at least $193 million.

The No. 8 pick in that same 2019 draft, Jaxson Hayes also landed in New Orleans the same night as Zion, through a trade with Atlanta involving De’Andre Hunter. Fun fact: the 2021 second-round pick that the Pelicans obtained in that Hayes-Hunter deal was used to draft Herb Jones.

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