Appearing on a podcast with Ryen Russillo of The Ringer, Pelicans executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin expressed confidence in signing Zion Williamson to a maximum-salary extension this offseason, though Griffin hinted the club will seek protections in the contract due to Williamson’s injury history.
“We feel really confident he wants to be here and we’re equally confident we can come to an agreement,” Griffin said.
Williamson expressed in his postseason press conference that he’s eager to sign long-term with the franchise after the team made a late run to reach the postseason. Griffin says it’s essentially a no-brainer he’ll get a max offer, which would be five years and at least $182MM.
“It was really comforting when he did his media availability in the postseason and said how much he buys into this,” Griffin said.
No player eligible for a rookie scale extension has ever turned down a maximum-salary offer, but given that Williamson missed the entire 2021/22 season due to a foot injury and has appeared in just 85 games since entering the league in 2019, the club may seek protections within the deal.
“It’s not a big decision. It’s a pretty easy decision,” Griffin said. “This is a max player. That’s easy. The kid is historically good when he plays. … What becomes significant with a team that’s a small market team and team that can’t make mistakes in terms of injuries over time, you have to indemnify yourself in some way.”
A report late last month suggested that ownership was reluctant to give Williamson a fully guaranteed max deal.
That would follow the lead of Philadelphia when Joel Embiid was eligible for his rookie scale extension. His five-year, maximum-salary extension included an injury protection for the franchise.
Griffin also addressed two other hot topics related to Williamson. He called the notion that there was a disconnect between the Pelicans and Williamson during his injury rehab “complete nonsense” driven by social media. “There was never a time when we were in the dark on Zion,” he said.
He also said Williamson was simply not healthy enough to suit up after he suffered an early-season setback. “The kid’s bone didn’t heal,” Griffin said.
Additionally, he noted that Williamson, who was cleared of any restrictions regarding his injury last month, has remained in town.
“He’s literally in our gym every day right now,” Griffin said.
Making a big mistake
It’s a risk-reward move. If they let him walk and he reaches his potential New Orleans would be crucified.
Meh. I get what you’re saying, but somehow I sense he’s more likely to waddle over to the beignet booth and load up on yummies for his tummy…
OG, that would be one heavy cross to bear.
Offer him 5 million a year and all the Doritos he can eat. Probably cheaper to give him the Max.
Very big
Within zions injury history if they offer it and his agent can get all injury stipulations removed he needs to accept it asap. He can always request a trade down the road. But take the money and eat…I mean run
Griffin would be happy to know – that Zion is just as eager and confident to sign that max-contract …….. then head straight to the Golden Corral Buffet & Grill.
Bro, he’s gonna buy (and subsequently eat) his own Golden Corral franchise if he gets that contract.
Too many good food options in NOLA to max Zion.
Explain why so many poor people are also fat?
Because they eat too much..unhealthy food, and don’t exercise enough.
Many poor people tend to have an unhealthy diet, take lots of sugary juices / drinks and live a lazy lifestyle.
Healthier diet alternatives simply cost more. Processe/fattening foods are mass produced and cheaper so it’s logical that a poorer person is heavier.
Your comment that poor people live a lazier lifestyle is narrow minded and asinine. I know fat asses with plenty of money whose only exercise is walking to the refrigerator for another beer. I know poor people whose work ethic would embarrass someone who thinks like you.
Because cheap food is also bad for you
This shouldn’t be difficult, because there’s no need to do an early extension. But with the Human Rabbits’ Foot involved, difficult is best case.
Too true, too true there isn’t an easier decision than maxing Zion!
Finally NOLA starts seeing the light, 182/5 for Zion is a real cheap deal, so go for it!
Being a general manager in the NBA has to be the best job in the world. You just hand out enormous contracts to people who haven’t earned them. In football or baseball you hand out a huge contract and the guy fails your job is on the line. In the NBA it’s “eh I’ll just move on.” And just suck up to 22 year old kids no matter what they do.
Just be warned of fat guys that come out of college with athleticism…. They eat themselves out of the League…. examples: Jared Sullinger and Glen Big Baby Davis. Both excellent athletically but couldn’t keep their weight in line and were out of the NBA within a few years. They all start their careers on an up note till the weight issues become the REAL issues. NOLA … You are forewarned … Don’t do it!