Zion Williamson's contract extension with Pelicans includes weight clause

Zion Williamson's extended contract with the New Orleans Pelicans contains a clause that is related to weight. According to the contract, Williamson has to do periodic weighing because the total percentage of body weight and body fat must be under 295.

The agreement between Williamson and the Pelicans is worth $193 million over five years with an escalator value of the contract reaching $231 million. It was due to Williamson's efforts to stay healthy throughout his career and his limited dominance in his matches that the Pelicans gave him the maximum extension.

According to a report by Christian Clark of Nola.com, if Williamson is unable to comply, the amount guaranteed in the contract can be reduced. The clause applies not only if Williamson plays as a power forward, but also when he earns the title of All-NBA, MVP, or Defensive Player of the Year next season.

Williamson's body size worries the Pelicans

Since his first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Williamson's weight has been a concern for the Pelicans. This is related to Williamson's body size which can cause injury, necessitating more intensive management.

Currently, Williamson is enrolled in the Pelicans at 6-foot-6' and weighs 284 pounds. Williamson's body size has required the Pelicans to limit his activities by only involving him in 85 games.

It is known that Williamson fractured the fifth metatarsal of his right leg in the offseason which kept him out of 44 games. Although there was hope that he could return to play in his third NBA season after obtaining a one-on-one practice permit, he suffered a setback in his recovery again.

According to the Pelicans announcement, "Williamson has seen improvement in bone healing in his right leg and he is able to continue training which will have a full impact on his basketball activities."

After that, Williamson still had to miss an undetermined time limit and without a definite schedule to return to play.

With the development of this information, Williamson may not be able to return to the team in the next NBA season.

According to the October 2021 Bleacher Report, Williamson weighed over 300 pounds at any one time in his recovery, which worried the Pelicans' staff.

An executive at the Western Conference said, "This is the most worrying injury. It's a leg injury for a man who has weight problems."

Williamson's record

Williamson is known for his ability to master qualities that only a few players can do. With his large body size, he has outstanding point-guard skills.

He can also dominate the resistance against almost all his opponents. This is also related to his ability to take advantage of opportunities when attacking opponents in every match.

In his rookie season of 24 games, Williamson was averaging 22.5 points with 58.3 percent shooting, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.

During the 2020-21 season, Williamson was able to score an average of 27 points in 61 games before eventually missing dozens of matches. Meanwhile, throughout his current career, Williamson is able to score an average of 25.73 points.