Henry Roldán
Nearly a month after Zion Williamson managed to sign with the New Orleans Pelicans a multi-million dollar contract extension, some clauses of his deal with the NBA organization are starting to come out.
One of them was revealed by Christian Clark of NOLA.com, who notes that the young player will be weighed constantly and must stay under 295 pounds in order to keep some guaranteed money in his contract.
Since he arrived in 2019 to the circuit, the winger’s weight has always been a concern for the Pelicans, so it is understandable that, after the various injuries he has suffered in his short career, these try to cover their backs with this limit.
Last May, Zion Williamson, who is considered the fourth-heaviest player in the NBA at 284 pounds, was medically cleared after missing the entire 2020-21 season with a broken foot.
In total, since being taken by New Orleans as the first overall pick of the 2019 Draft, the 22-year-old has only been uniformed in 85 engagements with the organization,including only 24 games in his first season, due to various lower body injuries that have been aggravated by his weight.
Clark added in his report that Williamson has been working with Jasper Bibbs, a personal trainer who spent five seasons with the Utah Jazz, and Christian Green, a Dillard University alumnus who is a private chef, on a mission to significantly reduce his weight, as during September 2021 reached 300 pounds.
Other Zion Williamson Contract Incentives
Just as Zion Williamson will have to maintain a weight commensurate with his 198-centimeter height, the player will be able to upgrade his five-year, $193 million contract to a $231 million contract.
There are several bonus clauses in his contract for each time he is selected to the All-NBA team, as well as if he is awarded MVP or Defensive Player of the Year during the upcoming league season.
Despite his short time on the boards, Williamson has made an impact in that span by being selected to an All-Star Game and making the All-Rookie team. He also averaged 31.7 minutes played, 25.7 points, seven rebounds, 3.2 assists and a resume full of incredible and spectacular dunks.
