{"id":150708,"date":"2025-07-17T06:00:34","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T10:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=150708"},"modified":"2025-07-17T04:58:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T08:58:30","slug":"zion-williamsons-contract-pelicans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/17\/zion-williamsons-contract-pelicans\/","title":{"rendered":"Zion Williamson\u2019s Paycheck Comes With Strings and a Scale"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New Orleans Pelicans are rolling the dice again on Zion Williamson<\/a>. Despite all the injuries and the frustrating stops and starts, the team has officially locked in his $39.4 million salary for the 2025-26 NBA season. It\u2019s a bold move, and one that says loud and clear that they still believe.<\/p>\n

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Mar 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But make no mistake, this isn\u2019t a blank check. The Pelicans are being smart about it. Williamson\u2019s deal now comes with performance-based incentives designed to keep him healthy, in shape, and on the floor, where he\u2019s undeniably electric when everything clicks.<\/p>\n

Zion Williamson\u2019s Paycheck Comes With Strings and a Scale<\/h2>\n

This new guarantee isn\u2019t just about showing faith. It\u2019s also about managing risk. The contract includes a series of benchmarks Williamson has to hit to unlock the salaries from his non-guaranteed years of 2026-27 and 2027-28. Here\u2019s how it breaks down according to insider Shamit Dua<\/a>:<\/p>\n