$7.8 million reason may have influenced Zion Williamson's drastic weight loss: Here's how
Zion Williamson is in the news regarding his tremendous weight loss. According to the New Orleans Pelicans star's stepfather, Williamson is down to 281 pounds and aims to drop to 272 before the season starts. He weighed 285 pounds in Duke. It would be the lowest Williamson would weigh during his NBA career if he manages to enter the season as per his goal.
While staying in shape to perform to the best of his abilities would've been Williamson's top priority, there may have been more reasons for him to hit peak conditioning this offseason.
The reason dates back to his complicated rookie extension in 2022. Williamson signed a five-year $197.23 million deal with multiple protections and non-guaranteed years. Williamson's weight and health issues were some of the primary stumbling blocks in getting a non-conditional contract extension.
According to The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov, the second year of the contract, the upcoming 2024-25 season, is 50.0% guaranteed. It will be fully guaranteed on Jul. 1, 2025, subject to Williamson meeting games played criteria.
Meanwhile, the final three years of the contract between 2025 and 2028 are non-guaranteed. That clause got triggered after Williamson played only 29 games during the 2022-23 season, missing more than 22, failing to meet the criteria for games played.
Zion Williamson could get waived without financial ramifications by the Pelicans after the 2024-25 season if he fails to meet contractual obligations.
Williamson has to pass all six weigh-in checkpoints during the 2024-25 season, conducted at different intervals, to have at least 20.0% of his salary guaranteed for the 2025-26 season.
Under that stipulation, Williamson shouldn't exceed his weight and body fat percentage over 295 pounds (if he weighs 285 pounds, his weight can't exceed 10.0% body fat).
According to Spotrac, he is owed $39,446,090 that season. If Williamson meets the criteria of maintaining his weight and body fat as required, a sum of $7,889,218 will be guaranteed from his 2025-26 season salary.
The remaining salary will be guaranteed based on number of games played.
Here's the breakdown:
- 40% if he plays 41 or more games
- 60% if he plays 51 or more games
- 80% if he plays 61 or more games
Zion Williamson on track to earn a guaranteed deal for 2025-26 season
Zion Williamson seems to have gone above and beyond to ensure he gets his salary guaranteed for the 2025-26 season. He's already 14 pounds lower than what his contract states and is likely to have a lower body fat percentage than 10%. With his goal being 272 pounds, he still has almost two months left to lower his weight.
He's also coming off a 70-game season. Zion Williamson might get a 100% guaranteed deal with momentum from last year regarding his reduced health issues. Being in shape would only bolster his chances of a healthy year, so things are trending in the right direction for the 2021 All-Star.