Zion Williamson is an NBA player for the New Orleans Pelicans. He was recently injured, putting his 2018-19 season and future in jeopardy. The injury has put the Pelicans into a difficult position on their roster construction and raises questions about team’s long term future with Zion as their centerpiece.
Zion Williamson injury update puts New Orleans Pelicans into an impossible $181 million position. Read more in detail here: mike mccarthy jerry jones.
At the NBA trade deadline, the New Orleans Pelicans made a bold move by acquiring Portland Trail Blazers combo guard CJ McCollum. The plan was to surround rookie forward Zion Williamson, who hasn’t played this season due to a fractured bone in his right foot, with another star-caliber player.
The recent revelations have poured cold water on the Pelicans’ expectations for this season and have cast doubt on the franchise’s near future. Williamson isn’t expected to play again this season. New Orleans has until the day before opening night next season to re-sign him to a rookie-scale contract deal.
And Pelicans head of basketball operations David Griffin, like few others in this circumstance, may go into that deadline evaluating risk vs. return.
Zion Williamson’s ailment was kept a secret by the New Orleans Pelicans.
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In late September, Griffin released a media-day bombshell regarding New Orleans Pelicans phenom Zion Williamson. During the summer, the first-overall selection in the 2019 NBA Draft shattered a bone in his right foot.
Griffin, on the other hand, was certain that his young star would be ready to go by opening night.
Williamson was not ready to go by opening night, according to the narrator.
Williamson is said to have skipped rehab sessions, slept off during team meetings, and put on weight.
He was also having foot discomfort about the same period. His rehabilitation was slowed, and when he returned to action in early January, it wasn’t under the supervision of the Pelicans’ training staff. Williamson instead resumed his rehabilitation in Portland, according to The Associated Press.
Williamson may now need a second medical treatment on his foot, according to Christian Clark of NOLA.com. That would effectively kill his 2021–22 season before it ever started.
The Pelicans and Griffin are now in an extraordinarily dangerous position.
The New Orleans Pelicans are facing a major choice. Williamson, Zion
The New Orleans Pelicans have an unpredictable summer ahead of them. Zion Williamson may need another surgery on his fractured right foot, and CEO David Griffin must decide whether or not to extend the young star’s contract. | Getty Images/Sean Gardner
Zion Williamson’s rookie deal is in its third year. As a result, the New Orleans Pelicans are facing a tight deadline to decide on the All-future Star’s with the team.
Last October, New Orleans revealed that it had exercised its $13.5 million option for the last year of Williamson’s original deal, which was totally predictable. But what follows is a franchise-altering risk-reward analysis of the Pelicans’ future with the South Carolina native.
Williamson is eligible for a five-year, $181 million contract in July, with a $31.2 million first-year ticket. The organization has little over three months to complete the deal or risk losing the franchise’s face as a free agent.
Williamson’s group will want the absolute maximum; this is a foregone conclusion. He was a first-round selection and is an All-Star. Only Greg Oden (premature aging) and Anthony Bennett (inept scouting by the Cleveland Cavaliers) have not completed their rookie contracts after being drafted first overall in recent memory.
When Zion is in good health, he is a formidable opponent. He scored 25.7 points per game on 61.4 percent shooting from the free throw line in 85 games. He’s not much of a long-range threat, making 16 of 48 (33.3 percent) attempts from beyond the arc.
Williamson is a force to be reckoned with at the rim. Defenses should certainly duck when he takes 70.9 percent of his shots from the restricted area; he hits 69.2 percent of such shots and already has 181 dunks.
But, with regards to the “85 games” claim, Zion missed the first 44 games of his rookie season due to a meniscus injury suffered in his summer league debut. The Pelicans were forced to play without their young star 11 times last season. They are 23–35 this season without him, and the McCollum deal has left them with a conundrum over their first-round draft pick in June.
For the Pelicans and Zion, there is some historical precedence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwLfgyP—xI
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The imminent decision by the New Orleans Pelicans on Zion Williamson’s rookie contract isn’t without precedent.
The Philadelphia 76ers decided on Joel Embiid’s future in 2017, despite his brilliance but injury history. The former Kansas standout was sidelined for the first two seasons due to a fractured foot. Embiid only played 31 games in the third year of his rookie contract due to stringent limitations. His season was cut short in late January due to a damaged meniscus.
Bryan Colangelo, the general manager, did not flinch. Embiid signed a five-year, $147.7 million contract with the Sixers in August 2017. (the max at the time). However, the organization inserted complicated injury clauses that would take away part of the guaranteed money if the superstar didn’t meet certain game or minute goals.
It was a win-win situation for both sides. This season, Embiid is the favorite to win the NBA MVP award. He’s already signed a four-year supermax deal that will keep him in Philly through 2026–27. The new deal is worth $195.9 million, according to estimates. The wage cap in 2023 determines the real amount. This is the deal’s first year.
The following are the inquiries:
- Will Griffin makes injury protections a requirement in a potential Williamson extension>
- Would Zion and his followers accept them?
Williamson’s displeasure with the New Orleans organization has long been reported. Griffin put his reputation on the line for Zion. After all, his first move in 2019 was to trade erstwhile franchise face Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Fans of the New Orleans Pelicans, buckle up. The summer of Zion Williamson’s contract extension seems to be a roller coaster.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics. Spotrac provided contract details.
RELATED: Zion Williamson’s Injury Destroys the Pelicans’ Playoff Hopes, Making the Blazers the Undisputed Winners of the CJ McCollum Trade
Zion Williamson injury update puts New Orleans Pelicans into an impossible $181 million position. The Pelicans are in a tough spot and Zion’s injury could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Reference: pelicans nba.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Zion Williamson play this year?
A: Zion Williamson is a 20 years old basketball player who plays for Duke University. Zions injury may keep him out of the 2018-2019 season but he has returned to playing and there is no timetable for his return yet.
How much does Zion weight?
A: According to your profile, you are approximately 160 pounds.
Whats the status of Zion Williamson?
A: Zion Williamson is still in a coma.
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