Zion Williamson has missed too many games and his contract is not guaranteed

The New Orleans Pelicans went out of their way to offer Zion Williamson a five-year, $197 million deal to keep him in July 2022, but the details of the big deal they signed were kept under the radar.

Williamson has missed significant portions of his first three years in the NBA, including the entire 2021-22 season, and the Pelicans knew his health was unreliable due to various now-revealed changes. Added clause.

Williamson played in only 29 games last season, making the final three years of his contract non-guaranteed, according to a contract reviewed by The Athletic. He missed more than 22 games last season, triggering a clause that changes his salary from guaranteed to non-guaranteed for the 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. This means the Pelicans have the upper hand and could waive Williamson after the 2024-25 season. Furthermore, if the player misses a significant amount of this season, his guaranteed salary for 2024-25 could be reduced.

It’s not all bad news for Zion, as the contract also includes a way for Williamson to guarantee a portion of his salary if he scores enough points and makes sure he doesn’t get overweight.

Williamson, 23, is in the first year of a five-year contract extension and despite his improved reliability (he has missed only six of the 29 games he has played so far), his fitness remains This is a matter of concern. His average of 22 points is despite his terrible form, which has plagued him since entering the NBA and forced his franchise to get healthy. Under the contract, Williamson’s combined weight and body fat percentage must be less than his 295 pounds. His weight last season was listed as him being 285 pounds, and his body fat means he shouldn’t be more than 10%.

The Pelicans also protected themselves in case Williamson had other serious issues with the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. If he sustains a fracture or stress injury to that bone, half of his base salary in 2024-2025 will no longer be guaranteed.

Williamson could once again have some or all of his salary guaranteed. If he passes all six weigh-in checkpoints during the 2024-25 season, he will be guaranteed 20% of his salary for the 2025-26 season, and an additional 40% if he plays at least 41 games in the 2024-25 season. . 20% if he plays at least 51 games. The final 20 percent is guaranteed again if he plays at least 61 games, and the formula repeats for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.