Zion Williamson Wants Rookie Extension With Pelicans, "Fast"

After sitting out the entire season due to a foot injury that just wouldn't heal properly, Zion Williamson watched his New Orleans Pelicans mature into a competitive team in the Western Conference, that contenders must deal with. Now Zion definitely wants back in. And he's ready to sign a rookie extension if it's offered. Fast. 

Zion Williamson on potentially signing an extension in New Orleans:

"Of course. I couldn't sign it fast enough."

— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) April 29, 2022

“Of course,” Williamson said. “I couldn’t sign it fast enough."

The big question, of course, is will that offer, if it comes, be of a max-scale variety, as one would expect Williamson to be looking for?

After missing the entire 2021-22 season, Zion has now played in just 85 games since entering the league three years ago. That's only 37.6% of the Pelicans' games over that stretch. Are the Pels prepared to offer the max to a player who can't stay (or get) on the floor? 

At today's exit interviews, Williamson said he thought he could have returned near the end of this season, but the team wanted to play it safe.

Zion said he felt like could’ve played but his team + the coaching staff + the front office decided longevity was the best thing for him.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 29, 2022

When he has played, Williamson has averaged 25.7 points, 7 rebounds and 3.2 assists on 60% FG shooting. Sure would be interesting to see this rising Pelicans team with Zion in the middle of it all.