There is more crumb in the contract Zion Williamson as it seems. After the 2021-2022 season, the two-time All-Star agreed to a contract extension. five years and $197.2 million with the New Orleans Pelicans. Williamson had only appeared in 85 games to that point in his career, so many wondered if this renewal had some sort of franchise protection.
A year and a half later there is an answer to this question. According to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, the Pelicans “Significant coverages were negotiated” to protect themselves if Williamson continued to engage in physical issues.
Next, Sports news brings all the information and details about Zion Williamson’s current contract and its clauses.
Zion Williamson’s contract details
The 197.2 million extension he signed Zion Williamson Started the 2023-2024 season. His salary increases every year of his contract, from 34.0 million in 2024 to 44.9 million in 2028.
According to Vorkunov, the final three seasons of Sion’s extension are no longer guaranteed because he only played 29 games last season, triggering a clause in his contract.
It’s unlikely to happen, but the Pelicans could waive Williamson after the 2024-2025 season at no financial cost to the franchise.
| Time | Salary |
| 2023-2024 | $34,005,250 |
| 2024-2025 | $36,725,670 |
| 2025-2026 | $39,446,090 |
| 2026-2027 | $42,166,510 |
| 2027-2028 | $44,886,930 |
Williamson can get his contract guarantees back, but it’s contingent on him playing enough games and hitting certain weight checkpoints.
The injury and weight clauses in Zion Williamson’s contract
Weight checkpoints for Zion Williamson require the sum of his weight in pounds and his body fat percentage to be less than 295 pounds (133.81 kg), according to Vorkunov. Since Williamson weighs in 284 pounds (128.82 kg) According to the official measurement, this would mean that your body fat percentage could not exceed eleven%.
Shion will be highly motivated not only to pass these checkpoints but also to be as prepared as possible because this will affect his future salary.
This is how Vorkunov explains it:
- If Williamson passes his six checkpoints in 2024-2025, he is guaranteed 20% of his salary for the following season.
- If he appears in at least 41 matches in 2024-25, he will unlock another 40% for next season.
- If you play at least 51 duels in 2024-2025, you unlock an additional 20% for 2025-2026.
- If he plays at least 61 games in 2024-2025, the final 20% is guaranteed for 2025-2026.
The same applies to the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 seasons.
Plus, the Pelicans have a safety net if Zion has more issues with his right leg.
Williamson was sidelined for the entire 2021-2022 season with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot that required surgery. A fracture or stress injury would result in half his salary being non-guaranteed for 2024-25 if he was cut.
Zion Williamson’s key contract dates
- January 7, 2024: The contract for the 2024-2025 season is guaranteed.
- July 16, 2025: The contract for the 2025-2026 season is guaranteed.
- July 16, 2026: The contract for the 2026-2027 season is guaranteed.
- July 16, 2027: The contract for the 2027-2028 season is guaranteed.
