How Much Money Has Zion Williamson Made with Pelicans While Being Injured?

The New Orleans Pelicans have spent a lot money to watch star forward Zion Williamson not play basketball.

The 25-year-old has missed the team's last two games and is dealing with a hip adductor strain that will reportedly sideline him for at least three weeks.

That prompted Cllct's Darren Rovell to calculate how much of Williamson's career earnings accounted for games in which he was absent:

This is why the Pelicans were stuck in a difficult position when it came time to give the two-time All-Star to a rookie extension.

Williamson had logged a total of 85 appearances in the NBA before he signed a five-year, $193 million deal. New Orleans took a leap of faith he would stay healthy moving forward, and that clearly hasn't panned out.

The Pels didn't have much alternative, though. Williamson was as good as advertised when he took the court, and a franchise that isn't a marquee destination can't afford to undervalue homegrown talent. In addition, the fanbase would've been up in arms if the 6'6" forward left New Orleans and thrived on a new team.

Williamson is signed through 2028, though The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov reported in December 2023 the final three years aren't guaranteed after he failed to hit a threshold for games played. That potentially opens a door for New Orleans to waive Zion before he's a free agent.

There's nothing concrete to indicate Williamson's future with the team is in jeopardy, but both parties might benefit from starting fresh at this point.