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New Orleans Pelicans Forward Zayn Williamson on Saturday agreed a specified maximum rookie extension of 5 years, $193 million, to remain with the team, according to his agent.
ESPN Insider Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that the deal could net Williamson up to $231 million, his agent Austin Brown reported. The deal would put Williamson in control of the team during the 2027–28 season.
Pelicans can’t announce agreement until July 6 because league rules,
The deal shows the Pelicans’ confidence in Williamson, the former top draft pick missing the entire 2021-2022 season with a broken leg despite an injury and playing only 85 games in three seasons in the league. The team announced in late May, weeks after its season had ended, that Williamson had been cleared for basketball activities without restriction.
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Zeon Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles the ball down the court during the fourth quarter of an NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at Smoothie King Center on May 04, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
(Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Williamson has shown potential for stardom in 2020-2021 when he is healthy, averaging 27 points and seven rebounds. Name of 21 year old an. Was placed NBA All-Star that weather.
The 6-foot-6, 284-pound Williamson has looked to quell speculation about a possible change of scenery in recent months.
In April, he indicated he would not hesitate to sign an offer letter from New Orleans, telling reporters he “wouldn’t be able to sign it fast enough.”
and last month, prior duke blue devil told the media that it is “no secret” he wants to be with the Pelicans. He said at the time, “I think I held onto it when I spoke. It was a long year for me in rehab and mental battles. I’m fine now. I’m ready to go to work.”
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The New Orleans Pelicans shoot Zion Williamson (1) as Utah Jazz center Derrick Favers (15) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, January 19, 2021 in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bomer)
Williamson has reason to be optimistic about the future of his ball club, given how he fared in his absence under rookie head coach Willie Greene. The Pelicans earned eighth seed in the Western Conference last season and won two games in the league’s play-in tournament to secure a place in the playoffs.
New Orleans would then push the top-seeded Phoenix Suns to six games in a best-of-seven series, before they were out of playoff,
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FILE – New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson watches a shoot-around prior to Game 6 of the team’s NBA basketball first round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on April 29, 2022 in New Orleans. Two people familiar with the decision say Williamson has agreed to a five-year extension worth $193 million. People spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because NBA rules don’t allow an extension to be official until July 6 (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
The team was led by one-time All-Star Brandon Ingram, veteran big man Jonas Valencianus and high-scoring guard CJ McCollum, who was acquired in a mid-season trade. The Pelicans also received contributions from some promising young players, including Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III and Jose Alvarado.
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“It was kind of boring watching from the sidelines, but I got to see my potential. We have so many great pieces, and I’m excited to be on the court with those guys. … You saw it on the court. We have one special group.” Williamson told the media after his team was knocked out of the playoffs in April.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.