Why Zion Williamson can’t wait to sign an extension with the Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are contenders

It’s hilarious to me that fans of other teams think Zion is unhappy in New Orleans and would want to jump ship for a team like the New York Knicks.

Please.

Take a look at their respective rosters and tell me Zion Williamson sees more opportunity on the Knicks. Yes, it’s a big market, but winning trumps everything and Zion and the Pelicans will get plenty of attention and nationally televised games once they are winning consistently.

In fact, just take a look around the NBA. There aren’t too many rosters that offer a better chance to win than New Orleans, both now and in the future.

The Pelicans are a Zion away from contending now, have quality veterans in CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas, a ton of young talent in Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Jaxson Hayes and Jose Alvarado, and did I mention they still have a top-10 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft?

They could flip that pick (and maybe Devonte’ Graham and Garrett Temple’s contracts) for an impact veteran (Jerami Grant?) or just use it and add more lottery talent to the pipeline.

If I am Zion, I am looking at one of the few teams in the NBA that is ready to win now and still has a ton of draft assets and young talent for the future.

The Pelicans have also put together a great coaching staff led by Willie Green with quality assistant coaches like Teresa Weatherspoon, who Zion is reportedly close with.

That’s why I am quite certain that Zion is eager to sign that extension, as he is on a team ready to contend that is set up for a long time.