It's no longer up for debate: Zion Williamson is set for a new deal that will keep him in New Orleans for the foreseeable future.
The team and Williamson were nearing completion of a 5-year extension that could be worth up to $231 million, according to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic. The deal is expected to include protections that have not yet been announced and will run through the 2027-'28 season.
The deal isn't particularly surprising for anyone who took the words of Williamson and EVP David Griffin at face value this offseason, both of whom indicated there was significant mutual interest in a new contract. It sounded like it'd be done quickly, and it was, with the news breaking on the first morning that extension-eligible rookies were able to lock in new deals.
Williamson has been notably active throughout the city this offseason, being spotted playing with kids at local parks and at youth camps, displaying his oft-questioned commitment to the city. That commitment was loudly and fairly questioned last season, which he missed fully with a foot injury and spent a majority of rehabbing away from the team. But any broken fences appeared to be mended midseason, and Williamson returned to the team for the playoff run.
When he spoke after the season and was asked about the extension, he said he "wouldn't be able to sign it fast enough."
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The deal means the core of CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Zion and several young and ascending players will stick together for next season and likely beyond. But it does come with durability and fitness questions for the No. 1 overall pick in 2019. Zion has been undeniably excellent when on the floor, but that's only been the case for 85 games in his 3-year career. He averaged 25 points per game, 7 rebounds and 3 assists on an astounding 60% shooting, however, and earned All-Rookie and All-Star nods in that span.
The Pelicans appear to be banking on Williamson's early-career health turning into long-term success, not unlike Joel Embiid, another star player who missed significant time early in his career. Embiid played just 31 games in his first three seasons, missing the first two entirely, but still inked a lucrative rookie extension that included some of the protections likely similar to what Zion will see in his new deal. He's seen a steady rise each season since, playing the most games of his career this past season (68) and leading the league in scoring at 30.6 points per game.
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If the Pelicans see something even remotely similar from their young superstar, it'll be money well spent.