The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because NBA rules do not allow the extension to be made official until July 6. The deal sets the stage for the 6-foot-6, 280-pound, high-scoring forward to provide an All-Star-caliber boost to a team that recently proved it could make the playoffs without him. ESPN first reported the deal, citing information provided by Williamson’s agent, Austin Brown. The move signals the 2019 No. 1 pick’s desire from Duke to see how much his return could help a team that improved dramatically late last season and made a surprisingly competitive playoff run. It’s also a show of faith from the Pelicans in injury-plagued Williamson, who has played a combined 85 games in his first three NBA seasons — and missed all of last season with a foot injury. This spring, New Orleans won two Western Conference playoff games before taking top-seeded Phoenix in six games in the first round of the 2022 playoffs. They did so with a team led by high-scoring wing Brandon Ingram, veteran guard C.J. McCollum, center Jonas Valanciunas and a supporting cast of young, hungry players who blossomed under first NBA head coach Willie Green. A season earlier, Williamson averaged a team-high 27 points and became a first-time All-Star during his lone NBA campaign that wasn’t mostly or entirely wiped out by injuries. Williamson played in just 24 games as a rookie due to a preseason right knee injury (lateral meniscus). He played in 61 of 72 games in his second season. But he injured his foot during the 2021 offseason while running basketball drills with his stepfather, with whom he had previously trusted his offseason training. The Pelicans did not disclose the injury until the first day of training camp in September, saying they hoped he would be ready to play by the start of the regular season on Oct. 20. Williamson initially agreed to this timetable, which turned out to be wildly optimistic. He ended up missing the entire regular season and playoffs. Williamson also chose to spend a significant portion of the season away from New Orleans and the Pelicans. He chose to resettle in Oregon, where his shoe sponsor, Nike, is based. During that time, the Pelicans offered few updates on Williamson, any mention of whom was later conspicuously absent from the Pelicans’ promotional materials regarding season ticket renewals for the 2022–23 season. When the season ended, Williamson said that if New Orleans offered a max extension, he “couldn’t sign it fast enough.” He was recently cleared to participate in basketball activities without restrictions. Without Williamson, the Pelicans started 1-12 last season but steadily climbed into contention for a Western Conference playoff spot. They had begun to improve even before Portland acquired McCollum two days before the NBA trade deadline. McCollum helped them earn a ninth overall seed and a home game. The Pelicans beat No. 10 San Antonio. They then won a second play-in game over the Clippers in Los Angeles to advance to the first round of the playoffs against top seed Phoenix. New Orleans won twice in that series before falling in six games.
