Zion Williamson Reaches Contract Guarantee Milestone, How Much Will Pelicans Star Earn Next Season?

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson achieved a contract milestone by suiting up during the team's clash with the Houston Rockets on Friday.

Williamson played in his 51st game of the season and increased his guaranteed salary from $16.9 million to $25.3 million for his 2026-27 campaign by doing so, via ESPN's Bobby Marks.

Williamson is also eligible to receive an additional $8.4 million in guaranteed salary next season by playing in 61 games, per Marks.

The two-time All-Star is currently playing on a five-year, $193 million contract that he signed with the Pelicans in 2022.

Williamson's deal contained six weigh-in checkpoints that guaranteed 20 percent of his salary for the following season as well as guaranteed salary checkpoints at 41 games, 51 games and 61 games played (via Spotrac).

Availability has been an issue for the 25-year-old throughout his career, as he's appeared in just 265 of a possible 560 games since New Orleans selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

Williamson has stayed on the floor much more often during the 2025-26 season, though. He suited up in 35 consecutive games earlier in the year, a career-high streak.

Williamson has remained efficient around the basket when healthy, averaging 21.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 58.7 percent from the field heading into Friday's action.

He'll have an opportunity to reach the 61-game threshold, as New Orleans still has 14 contests remaining in the regular season.