New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson will officially earn $39.4 million next season, with ESPN’s Bobby Marks reporting that his 2025–26 salary has now been guaranteed as of July 15.
The guarantee comes despite ongoing questions about Williamson’s durability. He played just 30 games last season but was dominant when available, averaging 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on 56.7% shooting.
However, the remaining two years on his contract — worth $42.2 million and $44.9 million — remain non-guaranteed unless he meets specific games-played criteria this season and next.
The former No. 1 overall pick from the 2019 NBA Draft has yet to play a full season and has appeared in only 214 games across five seasons. Despite his talent, Zion has never made a playoff appearance, and the Pelicans finished last season with a dismal 21-61 record, ranking 14th in the Western Conference.
Fan Reaction Mixed
The news sparked a wave of reactions online:
- @SergeantMartee: “Will Zion Williamson ever play a full season?”
- @thevalkyriesfan: “Wildest contract in basketball right now.”
- @whereyatnola1: “One of the biggest busts in NBA history.”
- @_TButler: “Let’s see if he finally gets serious now…”
Still, others remain hopeful, pointing to the team’s potential once key players return from injury.
@livingnthe90s wrote: “I think NO has a shot to have a good team once Murray is back at 100%.”
Williamson, a two-time All-Star, holds career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game on an impressive 58.9% field goal percentage. Whether he can stay healthy and lead New Orleans to the postseason remains one of the NBA’s biggest question marks heading into the 2025–26 season.
