Asked during his end-of-season media session on Friday about the possibility of signing a rookie scale extension with the Pelicans when he becomes eligible this offseason, forward Zion Williamson expressed enthusiasm, tweets William Guillory of The Athletic.
“Of course,” Williamson said. “I couldn’t sign it fast enough.”
[RELATED: Players Eligible For Rookie Scale Extensions In 2022]
There are a couple caveats worth noting here. For one, it’s not uncommon for a player speaking to reporters to express platitudes about wanting to sign a contract extension with a team and for that deal not to ultimately materialize.
It also seems likely that Williamson is talking about a maximum-salary contract offer, or something close to the max, rather than suggesting he’d accept any offer the Pelicans put in front of him.
No player eligible for a rookie scale extension has ever turned down a maximum-salary offer, but given that Zion missed the entire 2021/22 season due to a foot injury and has appeared in just 85 games since entering the league in 2019, putting a max deal on the table won’t be an automatic decision for the Pelicans.
Still, Williamson’s comment is noteworthy since there has been ongoing speculation about whether or not he’s committed to New Orleans for the long term. This is a promising sign that he’s not looking for an exit ramp.
As we noted earlier today, the Pelicans’ impressive second-half performance and tough playoff battle with the NBA-best Suns will strengthen their case when they enter negotiations with Williamson this summer — adding the former Duke star to the mix would make New Orleans one of the most intriguing teams in the West.
According to Andrew Lopez of ESPN (Twitter link), Williamson said today that he felt like he could’ve returned from his foot injury and played at the end of the season, but the coaching staff and front office ultimately decided that holding him out of action was the right call for the sake of his career longevity.
If only he had this much enthusiasim about actually playing basketball. Hes somehow worse than Ben Simmons. Once a dog, always a dog
His comments and quotes over the years gives me “Ben Simmons” vibes …
Seriously what is wrong with him? Play ball guy.
Zion is turning into Greg Oden 2.0. Need a full season of playing before giving him a Max. If The Pels don’t I’m sure someone will, but he hasn’t been anything but hype since College.
Comparing Greg Oden to Zion is so disrespectful are we not Finna sit here act like this guy isn’t an all star?
It isn’t disrespectful at all. Both guys experienced crushing injuries, not their fault. Oden never came close to his potential because of it, and so far the same can be said of Zion. Fortunately, he still has an opportunity to change that. I hope he does.
Finna=Finland??
The auto-correct was programmed to deny ‘gonna’ in any way.
Not spellcheck “gonna,” but finna is “fixin to” which is “about to” or “gonna.”
We all get excited when it’s payday don’t we? Where do I sign, where do I pick up my check? LOL.
If New Orleans is dumb enough to offer him something close to Max, he’ll sign it, wait a year, and demand to be traded out of town.
It won’t even take a year tbh
You mean if New Orleans is dumb enough to offer him anything other than the max he won’t sign it and rightfully demand to be traded out of town this off season.
I think everyone in the pelicans front office would be enthusiastic if he would hit the court
^ Yes !!
Pretty sure Griffen has been holding him out, whether a smart choice or dumb one. It would point to wanting to keep Zion healthy enough to fulfill the max as much as any other explanation would.
As the team improved, and a playoff run chance increased, that decision might have become a mistake. But a layoff was the plan.
Fans nowadays even prefer the long-range plan, much as neutrals like me dislike it.
I would not even like it for the Cavs. This is probably why commissioner Silver was disappointed NOLA won the pingpong game his class year, and not NYNY, where public pressure would have him in there for the playoffs.
Agh the offseason…..a time to pucker up to the man who signs the checks …Barf
Would be kinda cool if the Pelicans said something along the lines of the fellow posters in here above
He wanted to play. It was the team that elected to keep him out. It’s pretty silly to write off someone that young, and that talented because he’s had a little bad luck with injuries. But hopefully the front office feels the same way the commenters here do, because I’d love to have him in on the Knicks!
There’s no way he’s not getting the max. They’re one healthy Zion away from contending. If you don’t give him the max someone else will give it to him on an offer sheet then they’re forced to match. Then Zion truly will feel jilted and this time it won’t be media driven hyperbole and propaganda.
But if he’s oft injured, his contract can also hamstring this young and exciting group
Trade that b
Zion is all star and had a terrible team I get the healthy concerts but let’s not act like he is terrible when healthy Zion is a star and NOLA has not choice but to give him the max.
Who wouldn’t want the extension. I guess being grossly out of shape , showing no enthusiasm for playing a game, and basically out of touch with his team and the REAL WORLD he probably thinks he deserves all he can get. Pass the Doritos and pass on this CHUMP. One of the NY teams would be perfect as he would fit in either teams Clown Car full of players.
Just keep repeating media drivel.
Has played 85gms in three yrs.
There are 82gms in a regular season.
His stats are solid. And he does have star potential. But does he have the
“Mamba Mentality “. Jury is still out. Signing the wrong max player. Can really set back an organization. Hasn’t convinced me yet. Not my money so I don’t care. Just don’t come to NY.
Zion coming to New York would be the best thing that happened to the Knicks in 37 years.
They got Derrick Rose back tho.
Dolan selling the KNICKS would be the best thing ever.
100% ……. It’s a cash cow. He’ll never sell
Just your friendly reminder that signing an extension only means that someone’s gonna pay you. It says nothing about who that team will be. And star players on lower end max deals are a lot easier to trade than stars on rookie deals (because they can match the salaries of better veterans).
“No, no… Really… Thank you and all, but I don’t want zillions of dollars…”
-Nobody, Ever
I mean, who wouldn’t be enthusiastic?
Easy money in the bank.
Most people work their asses off their whole life and don’t make the dough this dude makes in a year of watching games in the front-row seats for free.
And he only started actually going to the games when the média started getting after him.
Trade him. Still has some value. No max deal in New Orleans.
What a bs!!! Didnt even travel with the all year.. there is simply no reason to give him an extension, other than he beng unhappy and threatening to leave the team. On paper, there’s no risk to lose him since next yr he will be unreatricted FA.
That is an easy win-win decision by NOP, you sign him or trade him for peanuts, which then NOP would deserve for trading a generational talent at this point of his career, they would never ever get close to his value!
Sign an extension and gain 30 LBs. Now I got 4 more yrs guaranteed ….
KaaaaChiiiiiiiinnnnnngggggg $$$$
Generational Appetite !!!!