Pelicans: Will Zion Williamson’s next contract top Luka Doncic’s?
Zion Williamson‘s contract with the New Orleans Pelicans won’t be up until after the 2022-23 season, but it’s not too early to start thinking about it.
Zion’s next deal is going to hang over the Pelicans’ every move as they try to build a roster around his unique talents.
It will be easier now, as Zion is still on a rookie deal that pays him $10.7 million next season and $13.5 the season after that.
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Having a superstar on a rookie contract is a pretty huge advantage, but Zion Williamson is going to get paid eventually, and will be eligible for an extension after next season, his third in the league.
Luka Doncic is there now and will undoubtedly get a contract extension from the Dallas Mavericks that will be historic, but will Zion Williamson’s contract be even bigger?
Pelicans: Zion Williamson will get even more than Luka Doncic
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Luka Doncic will be eligible for a 5 year/$201.5 million extension this offseason, which would make him the first player to ever sign a rookie max contract extension that exceeded $200 million.
Doncic is a unique case, as few players his age have racked up the accolades that he has, as Doncic has already made two All-Star games and the 1st team All-NBA.
He is likely to make the first team again this season, so the Mavericks are going to have to pay to keep their young superstar.
The Pelicans should brace themselves because Zion Williamson will make even more.
Zion will have a similar resume to Luka after next season and will get an even bigger contract. Zion was not only the number one pick in the draft, but the salary cap is expected to go up, so the chunk he will be eligible to get will be even bigger.
Although the Pelicans would surely do this extension right now if they could, they have to keep this in the back of their minds as they build their team.
Make the wrong signing and it could hamper their ability to build a winner around Zion Williamson after he gets a huge raise that will likely be the biggest contract extension in NBA history.
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