Pelicans' Zion Williamson Earns Salary Boost After 61st Game

Williamson's contract has performance-based incentives that kicked in this season.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:10am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented movements and plays of a basketball player, using bold colors and sharp, overlapping shapes to capture the dynamic energy of the sport.Zion Williamson's contract incentives reflect the highs and lows of his NBA career, as the Pelicans star works to maximize his earning potential through on-court performance.New Orleans Today

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has earned a salary increase for the 2026-27 season after playing in his 61st game of the current 2025-26 campaign. Williamson's contract includes provisions that boost his pay based on games played, and he has now met the threshold to increase his salary from $25.3 million to $33.7 million for next season.

Why it matters

Williamson has struggled with injuries and conditioning issues throughout his career, limiting his ability to maximize his earning potential. This salary boost shows the Pelicans' commitment to keeping Williamson long-term and rewarding him for staying healthy and productive this season.

The details

Williamson is in his sixth NBA season with the Pelicans. His current contract includes performance-based incentives, including salary escalators tied to the number of games he plays each year. After appearing in his 61st game of the 2025-26 season on Friday night, Williamson has now triggered the salary increase from $25.3 million to $33.7 million for the 2026-27 season. There are also additional weight incentives worth $8.4 million that could make his full 2026-27 salary of $42.2 million become fully guaranteed.

  • Zion Williamson played in his 61st game of the 2025-26 season on April 4, 2026.
  • Williamson's salary for the 2026-27 season will increase from $25.3 million to $33.7 million as a result of the 61-game threshold.

The players

Zion Williamson

A star forward for the New Orleans Pelicans who has struggled with injuries and conditioning issues throughout his NBA career.

New Orleans Pelicans

The NBA team that drafted Zion Williamson and has worked to keep him healthy and productive despite his injury history.

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What they’re saying

“Zion Williamson has now played in 61 games. The salary protection next season will increase from $25.3M to $33.7M. Williamson has weight incentives tied into the remaining $8.4M of his non-guaranteed salary. There is a likelihood his $42.2M salary next season becomes fully guaranteed.”

— Bobby Marks, NBA Insider

What’s next

The Pelicans will continue to monitor Williamson's health and performance as they look to build a contending team around him. If he can stay healthy for the remainder of this season, he could earn the full $42.2 million salary for 2026-27.

The takeaway

Zion Williamson's contract incentives highlight the challenges he has faced in his career to stay on the court and maximize his earning potential. This salary boost is a positive sign for the Pelicans, who are hoping Williamson can anchor their team for years to come if he can maintain his health and productivity.