If Pelicans released their training camp roster ahead of Friday Zion Williamson weighed in at 277 pounds, down seven pounds from last season, according to Fletcher Makel of WDSU in New Orleans (Link to Twitter). Speaking to reporters during Monday’s media day, Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Joe Dumars confirmed the team has been impressed with Williamson’s work on his body this offseason.
“To be a great player in this league, you have to be in top form,” Dumars said (Link to video on Twitter). “You can’t play 82 games and not be in great shape. And so we talked about him being in great shape, and he did. So kudos to Zion. He came in great shape.”
Still, while Dumars expressed enthusiasm about Williamson’s prospects for the upcoming season, the veteran executive said later in his press conference that the team had not yet negotiated a contract extension with the former No. 1 overall pick, who has two years remaining on his salary-max contract.
“Let’s see how this year goes” Dumars said (Link to YouTube), noting that Williamson will again be eligible for an extension in the 2027 offseason.
We’ve got more news on contract situations from around the NBA:
- Although Pelicans they haven’t been actively pursuing a new deal with Williamson recently finalized a three-year, $55.5 million extension for another forward, Sadik Bay. Shameet Dua of In The NO takes a closer look at how those negotiations went, noting that New Orleans avoided a fourth year but gave Bay three fully guaranteed seasons and a small trade. For his part, Bay is thrilled to have made a multi-year commitment to the Pelicans. “If they gave me a contract for 12 years, I would sign it” he said Monday, according to NOLA.com’s Rod Walker (Link to Twitter).
- Reporting in August showed that Anthony Davis and Wizards would not discuss a potential contract extension to at least 20 games or so in the 2026/27 season. Davis told reporters at Monday’s media day that his contract situation could not be resolved until the 2027 offseason, as David Aldridge of The Athletic relay. “I’m going to go through the season and do what I do at a high level.” Davis said. “And then when it’s all over, you know, sit down and have those key conversations with employees again.” The 10-time All-Star has a $62.8 million player option for 27/28.
- While some players prefer to negotiate contracts during the season, Michael Porter Jr and Networks doesn’t seem to see opening night as a deadline to reach a new deal, he writes CJ Holmes of The New York Daily News (subscription required). Porter will be eligible for an extension through June 30, 2027, and will become CEO Sean Marks suggested on Monday that neither side would push for an agreement in the coming weeks. “I’ll leave it to internal negotiations. Obviously it’s between the Nets and Mike and his agent, but I think they’re ongoing.” – said Marks. “The dialogue, I think, is going on. But, again, we’re not in a rush to do it. I think he’s not in a particular rush either.”
- Thunder security guard Cason Wallacewho is eligible for a rookie-scale extension through Oct. 19, told reporters Monday that his contract situation is “not on my mind,” per Rylan Stiles of SI.com. “It’s always going to happen when it’s going to happen,” said Wallace, who will be a restricted free agent in 2027 if a deal isn’t reached this fall. “I’m not even thinking about it right now. We just came together as a team. Training camp is tomorrow. So I’ve really been thinking about it.”
