As a team that ranks ninth in the regular season, it has been quite a success to be repeatedly mentioned as the "Black Eight Miracle" after entering the playoffs. For the New Orleans Pelicans, they've been one of the most successful teams of the season, even as they fell to the first round of the playoffs. You know, the Pelicans started this season with a 1-12 record, and at least in 2021, they are still a strong contender for the title. However, they finished the season with a nearly 70% win rate, successfully squeezing out the Lakers in the ninth place in the regular season, and advancing to the playoffs in two consecutive cities in the playoffs. Although they did not succeed in the end, for them, their time had just begun. Because of their bench, there was also Zion Williamson.
At the season wrap-up meeting, Zion sent an important signal to the Pelicans: "If the Pelicans give me a contract extension, I'll sign it right away." I just feel like I can't sign fast enough. As a result, the Pelicans' most important thing in the offseason is half resolved, and keeping the super rookie is the Pelicans' number one priority. According to salary experts, the Pelicans could offer Zion a five-year, $223 million top-salary contract, which would be the largest rookie contract in history, with Ross clauses. If Zion can be named to the All-Team team in the new season, he can get a full contract, otherwise he can only get $186 million of it. Gozlan, a well-known journalist, said the Pelicans were willing to offer Zion a top-salary contract, but the contract would contain limits and incentive clauses for the number of appearances.
The Pelicans will do everything they can to keep Zion, but they are not without scruples. The new season is Zion's fourth season, but in the first three seasons, Zion has only played 85 games, and his injury history is the biggest hidden danger. Therefore, it is also reasonable for pelicans to set incentive clauses and limits on the number of appearances. Referring to Embiid's renewal terms, the 76ers also had doubts in this regard, but in the end Embiid proved himself with practical actions, which is the best result for both sides. Zion has promised to renew his contract, but Zion's agent team is not a fuel-saving lamp, and presumably the Pelicans' contract extension process will not be so smooth. Judging from Zion's own attitude, he still has a certain sense of belonging to the Pelicans, especially after the arrival of CJ McCollum, Zion's hope for the Pelicans has rekindled. The Pelicans have achieved some results this season and have also given Zion a bright future, and for Zion, the Pelicans will be the best choice.
Considering the past style of the team behind Zion, they are bound to test the Pelicans' bottom line, and the removal of restrictions will be their demand. In fact, since entering the league, Zion has barely proven to respond to any topic outside of the game, and his language expression rarely touches all kinds of departure rumors, which seems to be more like the agency team behind the scenes. Starting last season, rhetoric such as "Zion doesn't want to stay in New Orleans" began to circulate, in which, "Zion wants to go to the big city to play, he wants to join a new York team." "The remarks are most prominent. This is not out of thin air, this kind of talk has been with Zion since the 2019 draft, which may be one of Zion's real thoughts. Because his college teammates, RJ Barrett and Cam Redish, both played for the New York Knicks, they were once known as the "Duke Three".
After entering the league, Zion received second only to leBron James. Zion itself carries a huge traffic, if you go to New York City, a basketball city, then his exposure will rise another notch, then his commercial value is not comparable in New Orleans. So, this is also the main reason why Zion's brokers often create momentum. However, now that Zion has made a promise, he has not finally started to ask for a deal during the rookie contract period. As strong as James, he also needs to stay in Cleveland for 8 years before he dares to choose to leave in the name of "brother basketball". What's more, today's Zion has no achievements, and there are still the most serious injury hazards, and his influence is much worse than that of James at that time.
So, Zion should still keep playing with the Pelicans, whose future has begun to take shape and is already one of the most successful rebuilding teams, zion remains with the Pelicans, who will become the second Suns.