Williamson and Beal sign huge deals
Zion Williamson put pen to paper, signed his name, looked up and said: “I'm locked in, baby.”
That's the phrase the New Orleans Pelicans have been waiting to hear. Williamson firmed up his commitment to the team on his 22nd birthday by signing a five-year deal that could be worth up to $231 million.
Asked where this ranks among birthdays, Williamson said, “Number one.”
The deal is worth at least $193 million with escalators for winning MVP honors, being named Defensive Player of Year or making an All-NBA team.
There are no player options in the contract so Williamson will be part of the Pelicans for five seasons, barring a trade.
Williamson missed all of last season due to a broken right foot and has played in just 85 games over his first three seasons.
He was an All-Star in the 2020-21 season, when he averaged 27.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 61 contests.
• Bradley Beal declined his option for 2022-23 season and officially signed a new five-year deal with the Washington Wizards valued at a maximum $251 million with another unique element: the NBA's first true no-trade clause. The fifth year of the contract is a player option.
The 29-year-old has spent his entire career with the Wizards and had a chance to leave for another team on a maximum four-year deal as a free agent.
Beal declined his $36.4 million player option, which paved the way to a massive payday. Entering his 11th season with Washington, he is a three-time All-Star who has twice averaged more than 30 points per game in a season.
• The Portland Trail Blazers acquired forward Jerami Grant and the draft rights to Ismael Kamagate from the Detroit Pistons. Detroit will receive the draft rights to Gabriele Procida, a 2025 first-round draft pick, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick.
• The Chicago Bulls signed veteran center Andre Drummond, adding a twotime All-Star and four-time rebounding champ.
•Sabrina Ionescu recorded the first 30-point triple-double in WNBA history, posting 31 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in the New York Liberty 116107 win over the Las Vegas Aces.