NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)— The New Orleans Pelicans are zoning in on their long-time future with Zion Williamson. On Tuesday, the power forward signed a contract extension with the Pels after weeks of speculation about what the document entails.
According to previous reports from Williamson’s agent, the contract, which legally could not be signed until Tuesday, is a $193 million extension with the potential to be worth as much as $231 million.
After signing the contract, Williamson and the Pelicans held a press conference at the Dryades YMCA.
“Zanos,” as his teammates at Duke called him, entered the league after being selected by the Pelicans as the first overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. As a rookie, Williamson played in only 24 games due to a knee injury obtained in the pre-season.
Although injury would continue to hinder Williamson’s performance, including a sit-out of the entire 2021-22 season due to a foot injury, the contract extension supposedly includes injury protections, according to inside reports.
Watch the press conference live in the player above at 11:30 Tuesday and stay tuned for highlights of the event.
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