"New Orleans Times" reporter Christian Clark latest reported that "Fat Tiger" Cayn Williamson could not return in the playoffs and playoffs, and the five-year early contract extension of nearly $200 million was like a "scam".
"As previously announced by the Pelicans, Cayne Williamson will not be in the last home game of the season or in the final game of the regular season against the Timberwolves." Clark confirmed that the Pelicans have no more information to provide about Cayn Williamson's injury.
"After further evaluation, it is now certain that Williamson will continue his rehabilitation and conditioning program." Pelicans officials wrote in a statement, "We will continue to monitor Cayn Williamson's progress and provide new recovery reports as needed." "Sources within the Pelicans confirmed that Cayn Williamson has de facto been reimbursed this season, including the upcoming playoffs, as well as a possible playoff, and Cayn Williamson has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Tsairn Williamson injured his right hamstring in a January 2 away game against the 76ers and was expected to return in mid-February, but suffered a second strain on his hamstring during a three-on-three workout. Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin announced a setback in Williamson's injury recovery, and two months later, there is no sign that the Fat Tigers will return to the court anytime soon. Since the Pelicans drafted Cayn Williamson in 2019, he has played just 114 games in total, and injuries have become the norm during his four-year rookie contract, and slower-than-expected injury recovery has become a pattern.
Looking back at Williamson's career, he entered the NBA with a lot of injuries, a torn meniscus in his right knee that took more than 8 months to recover, broke his right foot the summer of the following season, and entered training camp weighing more than 300 pounds, claiming to be ready for the regular season opener, which was reimbursed throughout the season. David Griffin decided to extend Williamson early to almost $200 million in 5 years, Pelicans owner Gail Benson did not agree, and still supported the extension.
"David Griffin did not receive a full detailed injury report from Williamson before the official contract extension, he was only training in the New Orleans suburb of Metairy, showing management only a training photo and a video of less than 60 seconds." Christian Clark said, "Then David Griffin decided to extend Williamson's contract with an early top salary. ”
Despite the objections of some Pelicans executives, David Griffin persuaded 76-year-old billionaire Gail Benson to approve Williamson's contract extension. Given Williamson's injury health, attendance and self-discipline, it was prudent to extend his contract with a maximum salary, but David Griffin made the decision quickly. Clark revealed that some Pelicans management executives believe that it cannot be said that David Griffin or Williamson cheated the owner or management, but the fact is that the five-year super maximum salary extension looks like "a scam", David Griffin can be as cautious as the Suns handle Ayton's contract, but he can't wait to write a huge check.
Williamson's five-year, nearly $200 million contract begins in 2023-24 and has played just 114 games over the past four years, and it's hard to believe he can guarantee health and attendance over the next four years of his career. "Given Williamson's talent, offering a four-year, $130 million contract extension is a rational decision, which is also the contract offer of the Suns' renewal champion Ayton." Pelicans executives told reporters.