Zion Williamson Would Sign New Pelicans Contract: 'Couldn't Sign It Fast Enough'

After Zion Williamson sat out the entire 2021-22 season while recovering from foot surgery, it had appeared his tenure with the New Orleans Pelicans might end sooner than expected.

But Williamson said he doesn't plan on going anywhere. When asked if he would sign a contract extension with the Pelicans, the star told reporters: "Of course. I couldn’t sign it fast enough."

Williamson also said he felt like he could have played at some point this season but a collective decision was made by him, the coaching staff and the front office that his longevity was more important.

The Pelicans' season ended Thursday after a 115-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series. The fact that New Orleans pushed the top-seeded Suns to six games was an impressive way to cap off a surprising year.

While Williamson was out, it was hardly expected that the team would contend for a spot in the postseason. But the Pelicans closed the year with eight wins in their last 13 games to clinch a berth in the play-in tournament, where they defeated the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers to secure the eighth seed.

A large reason for the Pelicans' success was the midseason acquisition of veteran shooting guard CJ McCollum. He quickly developed chemistry with forward Brandon Ingram, and the pair became one of the most potent scoring duos in the Western Conference.

The prospect of adding Williamson to that mix next year provides optimism that New Orleans can develop into a definite playoff contender.