Zion Williamson is back for the New Orleans Pelicans as he looks much fitter, stronger and lot better. The youngster was recently offered a five year max deal which he accepted and vowed to not let this city, this team and the people down ever again on the eve of his 22-nd birthday. The current contract amounts to $193 million but it could guarantee a super max deal amounting $231 million. However for that to happen Williamson needs to play well in the upcoming seasons and be in the 2023 All NBA team.
The Pelicans were majorly skeptical about handing the max deal due to his persistent injury problems. He has not yet finished a season with the Pelicans completely injury free so for that it was a major risk. But considering the talent at his disposal, the Pelicans decided to take a chance on him.
However NBA Analyst Shannon Sharpe believes despite all the trust in Williamson and other things from the Pelicans, he will not stay at the franchise for his lifetime. Sharpe expects Zion to switch franchises in a few years if he does not win the championship in the next few years.
He then highlighted players like Damian Lillard, Steph Curry and Ginnais Antetokounmpo who have shown tremendous amount of loyalty and have stayed at the same franchise. Sharpe feels these are exceptions and wont be the case for Zion Williamson.
“I don’t believe he will finish his career in New Orleans,” Sharpe said. “I’ve heard guy after guy after guy. After they sign that contract, Kyrie Irving said, ‘I’ll love to be in Boston if you’ll have me.’ Everybody takes that rookie contract. There are very few that stayed in the location that drafted them, a Steph Curry and a Giannis.
“Right now, Damian Lillard is still in Portland. … That’s $231 million. Nobody is turning that down,” Sharpe concluded.
A major foot injury kept him out of the entirety of the NBA season including the playoffs where they managed to sneak in and did really well to salvage their season. The Inclusion of CJ McCollum has worked wonders as Brandon Ingram also stepped up for the Pels helping them make the postseason.
Williamson has featured extensively in one year back in 2020-21 where he averaged 27 points, 7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game and his sensational performances saw him make his way to the NBA All Star. However he broke his finger and missed the last six matches of the season. The entire franchise will be hoping that he remains fit and gets to replicate that superb form in the coming season and if they manage to do that the Pelicans are in with another deep run into the playoffs next season.
