The New Orleans Pelicans have confirmed that Zion Williamson will not be released before the July 15th deadline when his contract for the 2025-26 season becomes guaranteed. Although Williamson is meeting the weight benchmarks outlined in his contract, he will fall short of playing in at least 61 games to automatically secure his contract.
Williamson’s contract contains unique provisions that safeguard the Pelicans against potential absences.
The Pelicans are not considering releasing Williamson and cutting costs as a viable option for improving the team. If a decision is made to part ways with Williamson, the Pelicans may explore trading him to acquire a quality player or two, or possibly draft picks.
