Zion Williamson Would Sign New Pelicans Contract: 'Couldn't Sign It Fast Enough'

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Where did Griffin say this?

---

You don’t watch the news much

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/pelican...232058019.html

Quote:

---

It doesn't sound certain that one will be offered.

And that is the $200 million - give or take - question that the Pelicans face this offseason, whether to offer the former No. 1 overall pick a lucrative extension that would kick in starting with the 2023-24 season, or roll the dice and see if he can get healthy enough to be a contributor to a team that believes it has a bright future.

''When it's time to have that (conversation), we'll have it,'' Pelicans vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said. ''Right now what we're focused on is him being healthy, and kind of elite condition to play basketball and we'll start there. I think once we get to that point, all those conversations get a lot easier.''

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

You don?t watch the news much

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/pelican...232058019.html

---

Pretty sure Griffin is going to want to give him a contract similar to what Embiid got after his rookie deal, while Zion's group is going to want a fully guaranteed max.

That is what's going to be the challenging part. Possible that Zion will turn it down if it's not fully guaranteed assuming he feels confident enough in his health going into his fourth season.

And Griffin isn't going to want to state clearly in a press conference that he's going to offer a max before they have those conversations. It's not like he's coming off back to back MVP seasons like Jokic.

I want Zion to get paid, I pull for the players to get paid as much as possible. I also pull for the organization to make the smartest decisions possible with their capital. Give him the best contract we deem possible, and let him figure out if this is as good as it’s going to get for his current situation. Everyone should look out for their best interests.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bradael

Pretty sure Griffin is going to want to give him a contract similar to what Embiid got after his rookie deal, while Zion's group is going to want a fully guaranteed max.

That is what's going to be the challenging part. Possible that Zion will turn it down if it's not fully guaranteed assuming he feels confident enough in his health going into his fourth season.

And Griffin isn't going to want to state clearly in a press conference that he's going to offer a max before they have those conversations. It's not like he's coming off back to back MVP seasons like Jokic.

---

Bingo! Bingo! Bingo!

I don't know why Zion bothers speaking to the media when all any one ever does is turn around and say that everything he just said out of his mouth is a lie.

It feels like whatever we have been told about him is usually debunked by his/his family's/the team's public comments, but then everyone try's to explain all of that away with even more speculation.

The 20 Y.O. All-Star seems like he wants to be here, and that is the best solution for us.

Edit: Replying to the Interview, not any specific person or replies in this thread. Sorry lol.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AD-AT

I don't know why Zion bothers speaking to the media when all any one ever does is turn around and say that everything he just said out of his mouth is a lie.

It feels like whatever we have been told about him is usually debunked by his/his family's/the team's public comments, but then everyone try's to explain all of that away with even more speculation.

The 20 Y.O. All-Star seems like he wants to be here, and that is the best solution for us.

---

Money and loving it here are two different things.

Regardless of his intentions he is doing the right thing by saying it. If there was any real beef, I think it?s been quelled. Zion wants to win. I think it is that simple. We have changed drastically since that trade.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by UNO Gracias

Charles Barkley made a good point the other day when discussing Zion?s contract. He said that in this contract, just as there are escalators if the player makes an All Star team, or All NBA team, the team needs to work in a weight clause.make sure that if you are paying him $x, you aren?t left on the hook should he blow up, and that prevents him from playing. It?s a smart idea, though I am not sure how that plays out, or if it?s even possible with the CBA.

---

I think a weight clause - if it's even possible - is a horrible idea. How do they decide today what will be the appropriate weight for him to get bonuses at the end of a potentially 5 year deal: deciding at age 21, which is how old Zion will be when he signs, what you should weigh when you're 27 is probably not a great idea.

A games played clause is better, I think, since it implies a weight/health requirement without placing an explicit number on the biological aspect.

How bout a skin fold clause?

Make him super accountable for what goes into his mouth

Let me know how he feels about being here after he gets paid. If by then he's still fully on-board with being a part of this organization, then I'll be impressed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chris

Let me know how he feels about being here after he gets paid. If he's still being positive about being here, then I'll care.

---

Yeah that's very fair

I think we got fat Jordan on our hands and y’all will be praising this guy next year he’s got a mid range he’s barely shown off I don’t think we will regret signing him

Be funny if the Pels pick David Roddy of Colorado State in the 2nd round-- then they'd have two guys that are built like football players/The Hulk. He's pretty good too, for a 2nd rnd flyer!
6'6", 255!

If I could be the gm I would trade our first pick and graham for Ben Simmons and prove New Orleans is about community pushing through being resilient I think he would work wonders for us with ball movement and defense a good substitution for Zion whenever he needs a break Ingram as well honestly think his skills with size would make us a favorite to win it all ; I know Chris and devin booker won’t just shoot over him and don’t gotta worry about him taking shots from the main guy or jacking bad shots like Westbrook would be my dream addition

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Algiersraised

If I could be the gm I would trade our first pick and graham for Ben Simmons and prove New Orleans is about community pushing through being resilient I think he would work wonders for us with ball movement and defense a good substitution for Zion whenever he needs a break Ingram as well honestly think his skills with size would make us a favorite to win it all ; I know Chris and devin booker won’t just shoot over him and don’t gotta worry about him taking shots from the main guy or jacking bad shots like Westbrook would be my dream addition

---

Thank God you're not.
He is getting paid 33M next season.
So Zion, BI, CJ and Simmons would be the whole cap.

Has there ever been a question seriously. When was the last time a player on a rookie deal turned down a max contract? If Zion forces his way out it'll be under the next deal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AUSSIE_PELICAN

Thank God you're not.
He is getting paid 33M next season.
So Zion, BI, CJ and Simmons would be the whole cap.

---

Imagine forfeiting what might be your best chance to add cheap young talent for the next few years in exchange for a guy who will voluntarily sit out an entire season and the privilege of having your cap annihilated

Maybe you get the nets to pay some of it for taking him off their hands and we just had a guy sitting out that said he would play the first game and didn’t say jack afterwards , it was rumored we were interested already who says he don’t love our locker room and our players we don’t have a a hole like Joel all our guys laid back and just want to win might be the type of culture he needs doesn’t have to be depended on just do your thing Brandon cj Trey Zion jv won’t have problems taking shots oh and we have a coach that’s young a can relate won’t throw him under the bus like doc I’m just saying ….. I’m the type that look at and for the positives not a doom a gloom guy bad situations change often sometimes get worst but life is about gambles , we could use that 8th pick and draft a straight scrub that will never be a Allstar or all team defender

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by da ThRONe

Has there ever been a question seriously. When was the last time a player on a rookie deal turned down a max contract? If Zion forces his way out it'll be under the next deal.

---

Here are 10 names to start

https://hoopshype.com/2018/10/17/top...ale-extension/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

You don’t watch the news much

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/pelican...232058019.html

---

And you twist things to try and cause drama. You said-

Quote:

---

Don’t shoot the messenger. It is what it is. Don’t be shocked if nothing gets done this summer. GRIFF SAID IT HIMSELF

---

Nothing at all in his interview or that article quotes him as saying nothing may get done this summer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

And you twist things to try and cause drama. You said-


Nothing at all in his interview or that article quotes him as saying nothing may get done this summer.

---

I’m causing drama? Again don’t shoot the messenger. If it were this simple don’t you think Grif. Would have printed and had him sign the contract already? Maybe it happens this summer maybe it does not.

You may want to read what Bradeal posted #52.

Yes there is a chance Zion turns down what is offered. Again don’t shoot the messenger.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

If it were this simple don’t you think Grif. Would have printed and had him sign the contract already?

---

The league rules that you cannot offer an extension before July 1st. Even if Griff was chomping at the bit to offer the contract and was willing to do so with zero discussion or negotiation, he would not be able to because it is literally illegal under current NBA rules to offer the contract for another 2 months.

I know that this ruins the weird narrative you're trying to build where Griff is purposefully being cagey with the extension, but hey, not my fault you don't know how the extension actually works. Don't shoot the messenger.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

The league rules that you cannot offer an extension before July 1st. Even if Griff was chomping at the bit to offer the contract and was willing to do so with zero discussion or negotiation, he would not be able to because it is literally illegal under current NBA rules to offer the contract for another 2 months.

I know that this ruins the weird narrative you're trying to build where Griff is purposefully being cagey with the extension, but hey, not my fault you don't know how the extension actually works. Don't shoot the messenger.

---

Okay fine you feel better now. I NEVER SAID THE CONTRACT WOULD NOT BE OFFERED! For God sakes! Look in the mirror. Griff will make the the offer when fit.

FEEL BETTER NOW?

Christ sake McNamara told you this way back!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

The league rules that you cannot offer an extension before July 1st. Even if Griff was chomping at the bit to offer the contract and was willing to do so with zero discussion or negotiation, he would not be able to because it is literally illegal under current NBA rules to offer the contract for another 2 months.

I know that this ruins the weird narrative you're trying to build where Griff is purposefully being cagey with the extension, but hey, not my fault you don't know how the extension actually works. Don't shoot the messenger.

---

Read it again Sherlock

Quote:

---

When it's time to have that (conversation), we'll have it,'' Pelicans vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said. ''Right now what we're focused on is him being healthy, and kind of elite condition to play basketball and we'll start there. I think once we get to that point, all those conversations get a lot easier.''

---

Sooner or later. Maybe this summer, maybe later on in fall. There is a chance he may not sign it.

It is called a NEGOTIATION

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Here are 10 names to start

https://hoopshype.com/2018/10/17/top...ale-extension/

---

I said turned down the max extension.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bradael

Pretty sure Griffin is going to want to give him a contract similar to what Embiid got after his rookie deal, while Zion's group is going to want a fully guaranteed max.

That is what's going to be the challenging part. Possible that Zion will turn it down if it's not fully guaranteed assuming he feels confident enough in his health going into his fourth season.

And Griffin isn't going to want to state clearly in a press conference that he's going to offer a max before they have those conversations. It's not like he's coming off back to back MVP seasons like Jokic.

---

Some people don’t want to hear that

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by da ThRONe

I said turned down the max extension.

---

Here is one

https://www.sportscasting.com/shaqui...erappreciated/

Now I’m looking at James Harden as a possible 2nd one

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Read it again Sherlock



Sooner or later. Maybe this summer, maybe later on in fall. There is a chance he may not sign it.

It is called a NEGOTIATION

---

You've done a marvelous job of dodging the critique of your own point, while providing a counter-argument that misses my point entirely and attacks something I wasn't saying. I didn't even say you'd claimed Griff wouldn't offer it, so why you're telling me you didn't say that I don't know. Maybe you have me confused with someone else.

I also didn't say that there would be no negotiation, or that Griff would offer it without negotiation, so there's no need for the full caps situation. I said, if you would care to actually read it, that even if Griff would offer it without negotiation, he can't. That does not mean that I think he will offer it without negotiation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

You've done a marvelous job of dodging the critique of your own point, while providing a counter-argument that misses my point entirely and attacks something I wasn't saying. I didn't even say you'd claimed Griff wouldn't offer it, so why you're telling me you didn't say that I don't know. Maybe you have me confused with someone else.

I also didn't say that there would be no negotiation, or that Griff would offer it without negotiation, so there's no need for the full caps situation. I said, if you would care to actually read it, that even if Griff would offer it without negotiation, he can't. That does not mean that I think he will offer it without negotiation.

---

Don’t want to listen. Fine. I’m going on a vacation. Perhaps McNamara can explain to you it better if he returns

On to my vacation

Have a great day.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

I?m causing drama? Again don?t shoot the messenger. If it were this simple don?t you think Grif. Would have printed and had him sign the contract already? Maybe it happens this summer maybe it does not.

You may want to read what Bradeal posted #52.

Yes there is a chance Zion turns down what is offered. Again don?t shoot the messenger.

---

Again, twisting words. Did not say it would be simple. But you claimed "Griff said himself" that something may not get done this offseason. Nowhere did he ever say that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Again, twisting words. Did not say it would be simple. But you claimed "Griff said himself" that something may not get done this offseason. Nowhere did he ever say that.

---

I’m on vacation this week. Take all issues with McNamara or someone else this week.

Have a great week. Carry on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

I’m on vacation this week. Take all issues with McNamara or someone else this week.

Have a great week. Carry on.

---

:hihi: What a troll.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Here is one

https://www.sportscasting.com/shaqui...erappreciated/

Now I’m looking at James Harden as a possible 2nd one

---

Shaq leaving Orlando was like 15 years before the concept of a "max" extension. Harden's trade was because he wanted the max and OKC balked at giving it to him because they were concerned about future luxury tax implications and foolishly thought they needed to keep Kendrick Perkins' bloated salary on their roster.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Here are 10 names to start

https://hoopshype.com/2018/10/17/top...ale-extension/

---

Might want to read that article again. One, those players weren't offered max contracts. Two, most of them weren't even offered extensions at all, so they didn't even have a chance to turn them down.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

I think a weight clause - if it's even possible - is a horrible idea. How do they decide today what will be the appropriate weight for him to get bonuses at the end of a potentially 5 year deal: deciding at age 21, which is how old Zion will be when he signs, what you should weigh when you're 27 is probably not a great idea.

A games played clause is better, I think, since it implies a weight/health requirement without placing an explicit number on the biological aspect.

---

Weight Clause, Games Played Clause, call it whatever you want, the end result is not getting left on the hook if things go side ways with Zion?s health. I don?t know if that is possible under the CBA, but if it is, you certainly need to include it for risk management purposes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eyquem

Be funny if the Pels pick David Roddy of Colorado State in the 2nd round-- then they'd have two guys that are built like football players/The Hulk. He's pretty good too, for a 2nd rnd flyer!
6'6", 255!

---

I have thought about Roddy as well. Prior to the tourney folks talked him up big time (unfortunately he got bounced before anyone could see what he could do).

I wonder if he makes it to round 2, as perhaps a team with a late first burns it on his potential.

The Pelicans need to have this deal sitting on the desk the second it is allowed to be signed.. Yes he has been hurt but our staff knows where he is at.. Zion isn’t some injury prone player if you ask me but had a simple string of bad luck and learned the hard way about being over weight.. the best thing that could have happened imo was Zion and our staff finding this all out now knowing how to work with him and do what’s best from here on forward.. It’s not like we are signing this contract guessing on if he can be a star or not.. we already know he is an all star and is only 21.. the only question is will he be healthy and that is something I’m not going to play around with when it comes to locking him up long term and again I’m sure our staff knows.. from his 360 windmill dunks pregame I would say he’s healthy and they don’t see any lingering problems.. they simply wanted him healthy for the long term and to have a full season practicing with this team while continuing to transform his body.. throwing him in the middle of the playoffs would have been a terrible decision.. if he had the most minor tweak the media would have torn the Pelicans to pieces even if it was Zions camp forcing him to play.. the media would have basically forced a trade by not shutting up..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GuardianAngel25

The Pelicans need to have this deal sitting on the desk the second it is allowed to be signed.. Yes he has been hurt but our staff knows where he is at.. Zion isn’t some injury prone player if you ask me but had a simple string of bad luck and learned the hard way about being over weight.. the best thing that could have happened imo was Zion and our staff finding this all out now knowing how to work with him and do what’s best from here on forward.. It’s not like we are signing this contract guessing on if he can be a star or not.. we already know he is an all star and is only 21.. the only question is will he be healthy and that is something I’m not going to play around with when it comes to locking him up long term and again I’m sure our staff knows.. from his 360 windmill dunks pregame I would say he’s healthy and they don’t see any lingering problems.. they simply wanted him healthy for the long term and to have a full season practicing with this team while continuing to transform his body.. throwing him in the middle of the playoffs would have been a terrible decision.. if he had the most minor tweak the media would have torn the Pelicans to pieces even if it was Zions camp forcing him to play.. the media would have basically forced a trade by not shutting up..

---

The only thing that was missing from this post is you calling Zion a "kid". It's been your signature posting style and it's weird not seeing it in such a lengthy post haha

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

The only thing that was missing from this post is you calling Zion a "kid". It's been your signature posting style and it's weird not seeing it in such a lengthy post haha

---

I'd certainly like the contract to be ready for signing so long as it has tons of 'Embiid Clauses' in it to protect the team from Zion's overzealous appetite and his proclivity for injury (particularly to his legs). We owe that protection to BI, CJ, Val, Herb and the rest. A contract sans protections would effectively destroy this team in the event of injury.

As I've stated before, Williamson has been injured (and missed games) every year dating back to his senior year at Spartanburg Day High School. For those of you missing a finger, that's the last five years. That's a track record that no sane General Manager can ignore when we are talking about 25%+ of the team's disposable cap space.