Zion Williamson Has “Weight Clause” In New Contract

The New Orleans Pelicans had said all along that a contract extension for Zion Williamson would include “protections” of some sort. Now some details are being revealed. Zion will need to keep his weight in check, or lose guaranteed money. 

Zion Williamson has a new five-year, $193 million contract with the Pelicans.

But the deal reportedly contains a clause that allows New Orleans to take away guaranteed money based on his weight and body fat percentage. https://t.co/4AMNn8xHX3 pic.twitter.com/dN6oNPWvNP

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The new max 5-year, $193M contract contains a clause that will allow the Pelicans to dock his pay based on his weight and body fat percentage. Zion will have regular weigh-ins to ensure he meets the team goals. At the same time, Williamson can attain escalators that bump up his pay if he makes All-NBA or MVP.

The 22-year-old Williamson has only been on the floor for 85 out of 203 possible games in his three seasons as a Pelican, and there’s been much concern over his conditioning. He appeared to balloon to over 300 pounds while he sat out the entire season trying to recover from a foot injury.

When he does play, however, the results are tantalizing, as he’s averaged 25.7 points and 7 rebounds in his brief career. The Pelicans simply couldn’t resist signing him to the long-term extension… WITH some weighty conditions. 

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