1 contract every NBA team would want back
By Ian Levy
New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson
Given how well he’s played when healthy, and given how much buzz their was about friction between him and the organization and an impending trade demand it was a no-brainer for the Pelicans to sign him to a five-year, $197 million extension as soon as they had the chance.
But there are two relevant data points — that extension hasn’t even started yet and will last through Zion’s age-27 season, and Zion has played just 114 games across the first four seasons of his career.
The Pelicans are committed to playing nearly $200 million over the next five years for a player they simply can’t count on being healthy and available. They were rumors they were open to trade offers this summer and obviously didn’t see anything overwhelming. Every game he misses is also another reason for another team NOT to trade for him and it’s a long time before the end of that contract could make it an appealing trade asset.
The Pelicans didn’t really have a choice. But they have landed in an absolutely unenviable position.