Zion Williamson agrees to max contract extension with Pelicans

Pelicans star Zion Williamson said recently he couldn’t sign a contract extension with New Orleans fast enough.

Within the first 24 hours of negotiations allowed by the NBA for such a deal, the former All-Star was poised to put pen to paper on a new deal.

Shams Charania of The Athletic first reported Friday monring that Williamson is close to signing a max rookie extension worth up to $231 million:

Williamson said after the season ended, “I couldn’t sign it fast enough.” Indeed, the All-Star locks in commitment to New Orleans.

The deal is expected to include protections that both sides were sorting through overnight and will finalize, sources said. https://t.co/n0hyRwRk9e

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

UPDATE: Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN confirmed Saturday afternoon that the deal was officially consumated:

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has agreed on a five-year, $193 million designated maximum rookie extension that could earn him as much as $231 million, CAA Sports’ Co-Head of Basketball Austin Brown tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/z4lnVLD1GM

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

In order to reach the highest income, the 21-year old would have to earn NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year or All-NBA honors this upcoming season. If not, he will earn roughly $40 million less over the course of the deal through the 2027-28 season.

Williamson missed the entire 2021-22 season with a fractured foot but the Pelicans recently announced he is fully cleared for full basketball activities. The previous season, the former Duke star made the NBA All-Star team.