The Pelicans spent 39.4 million to bet on Zion! The Glass Man clause locked the future, is it worth it?

The latest news from the US media Ary, an explosive news came from the decisive decision of the New Orleans Pelicans! The Pelicans management made the final decision before the key node on July 15, and completely transformed Zion Williamson's 2025-26 season contract worth $39.4 million from its original "non-guaranteed" state to fully guaranteed salary.

When US$39.4 million was put into pocket, a more breathtaking question exploded: what kind of magic did the Pelicans management bewitched by Tsai, and was willing to give this "glass man" who had missed games in the past five seasons far more than the number of appearances. The mystery of this sky-high contract is far from as simple as the superficial amount. NBA salary rules master Bobby Marks reveals the inside story to us: the Pelicans' generous donation this time has only covered one season in Zion's huge future contract. The huge salary in the last two years of its contract - 42.2 million in the 2026-27 season and 44.9 million in the 2027-28 season are still shrouded in huge uncertainty! Whether these two sums of money can eventually fall into Zion's pocket depends entirely on a cold and cruel hard indicator: whether he can reach the team's pre-set minimum number of appearances in the corresponding season. This is tantamount to the sword of Damocles hanging above Zion's head, and it is the ultimate safety valve carefully set up by the team for this big bet.

A careful examination of Zion Williamson's past stadium trajectory can deeply understand the heaviness and helplessness behind this prudence of the Pelicans management. In the 2024-25 season, Zion did briefly tear the label of injury, and showed the world what "dominated power in the penalty area" is in a limited 30 regular season games. He averaged only 28.6 minutes of playing time, and he was able to output 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, plus 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks. When he was in the paint area, his opponent's defense line was as fragile as paper, and his offensive efficiency was once the best in the league, showing a superstar heritage that was enough to change the situation.

However, the other side of the brilliant data is the shocking "glass attribute". The list of injuries accumulated by Zion over the past five years of his NBA career is far longer than his resume of healthy competitions. Foot surgery, repeated hamstring strains, mysterious knee discomfort... These medical terms are like maggots in the tarsal bones, labeling his steel-like body as "fragile". The total attendance rate in five years is less than 40%, and this cruel attendance chart has become the biggest shadow over its maximum salary future. The Pelicans' "early guarantee" at this moment is more like a tentative attitude towards their health, rather than an unreserved full account.

A thorough analysis of the strategic chessboard of the Pelicans management is actually a complex game under multiple high pressures. The team's salary space is being pushed to its limit by the huge contracts of star players, and the core Ingram's trading rumors are rampant, and the lineup structure is facing severe shocks. Choosing to protect Zion's salary next season at this sensitive node can at least temporarily stabilize this talented core asset and avoid chain reactions caused by contract uncertainty in locker room turmoil or market panic selling. What the Pelicans management bet on the betting table is not only Zion's ankles and knees, but also whether the team's foundation for building a team in the next few years can be stable.

Looking at the entire league, deeply binding the star contract with the strict attendance terms has become a standard operating manual for managing the "glass attribute" genius. The Philadelphia 76ers once set up strict "health bonuses" for Embiid's maximum salary contract; when the Clippers introduced Leonard and George, the contract structure was also full of vigilance against potential injuries. The Pelicans' "Health Clearance Certificate" set up by Zhaien's contract in the next two years is a continuation of this risk control wisdom - not only affirming his devastating value on the court, but also building the last line of defense for his physical fragility.

Zion Williamson himself is undoubtedly at the most critical crossroads of his career. The Pelicans' guarantee contract with additional conditions is a gift of trust and a silent spur. He knew better than anyone that if he could not escape the curse of injury and stood steadily in the center of the court, the tempting 42.2 million and 44.9 million US dollars would eventually become a bubble. He must prove to the world that those 30 efficient outputs were not short-lived, but the prologue of the return of the king; he must use the continuous battle throughout the season to completely smash the word "non-guaranteed" in the contract.

The New Orleans Pelicans bet on Zion Williamson in advance. The end of this gamble depends on whether Tsai's feet can withstand the cruel grinding of a long season. When talent and vitreous physique collide violently, is it a phoenix rebirth or a prosperity that has ended?

The Pelicans' chips have been thrown, and Zion's fate roulette begins to rotate. Do you think it's worth it? Can this superstar, who has historical talent but struggles with injuries, finally break free from the shackles and lead the Pelicans to break through doubts?