The New Orleans Pelicans put up a valiant effort against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs but ultimately fell in six games. However, the performance felt all the more impressive considering they were without Zion Williamson for the entire season.
After a tumultuous season of reporting, Williamson seemed to end the year on good terms with the Pelicans. When asked about a potential extension during his exit interview, Williamson said he “couldn’t sign it fast enough.”
Zion asked if he’d sign extension:
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 29, 2022
“Of course. I couldn’t sign it fast enough.”
This was enough to calm everyone’s nerves about a potential blockbuster trade this summer. But do Williamson’s words really mean as much as everyone thinks they do?
Should we take Zion Williamson’s extension comments at face value?
Now, this isn’t a knock on Williamson. Outside of his midseason hiccup with CJ McCollum, he seems like a nice guy. He could be seen fully engaged on the sidelines all throughout the playoffs.
However, after the season we all just witnessed, how can a few simple words be enough to quell the fears that most were experiencing all year long? In all honesty, they can’t.
Words don’t mean much in the NBA anymore. Just look at Kyrie Irving as the prime example. He said he would re-sign with the Boston Celtics and just a few months later was colluding with Kevin Durant at All-Star Weekend.
And this isn’t a shot at Irving. Players are allowed to do whatever they want. They don’t have to be loyal to any team they don’t want to be loyal to (as much as those fans will hate them for it).
You can have your own opinion on players requesting to be traded, but regardless of that opinion, that’s the way the NBA is nowadays. Players control their own destiny most of the time.
So, while Williamson may state that he wants to re-sign, that doesn’t mean much. In a few months, he could want out and all he would have to do is say the word.
Plus, what was he supposed to say? “No, I don’t want to be here?” That would have been a sure-fire way to cause a riot amongst NBA fans everywhere.
The point is, Williamson gave the correct, media-friendly response to a question he was asked. And while you can choose to take his word for it, based on the NBA’s track record, that may not be the best idea.