NBA Free Agency: Grading all 30 teams on trades and signings

NBA Free Agency Grades: New Orleans Pelicans

Signings: Zion Williamson (5 year, $193 million extension)

Trades: None

The New Orleans Pelicans had very little to do this offseason. Even with superstar youngster Zion Williamson sidelined last season they made a surprise run to the NBA playoffs, snagging the final Play-In spot and then winning twice to reach the field properly. That roster came back virtually in full, with 14 players under contract already for this season. Dyson Daniels, the eighth pick in the NBA Draft, was the only addition.

The one big move in free agency was signing Zion to a rookie extension. This move had a lot of drama attached to it heading into the offseason. Would the Pelicans be scared by Williamson’s injury history? How would the two sides negotiate the structure?

The end result was the full five-year max, with injury triggers to fully guarantee. There was no player option for Williamson, no discount for the Pels. Likely the team gave Zion the choice between injury-related triggers to fully guarantee the deal – i.e. if he plays ‘x’ number of games over the next three years the final two years go from partial guarantees to full – or a slightly lower number, and he chose the triggers. The real excitement came from a “weight” clause that dictates Williamson needs to keep his overall weight plus BMI under a certain number, a unique inclusion and one that could motivate him to a healthier place overall.

Grade: B+