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[Saba Sports News] Zion Williamson may have been more focused on a move to the East Coast than previously thought.
Earlier this week, the New Orleans Pelicans star parted ways with CAA, the agency that represented him since before he entered the NBA in 2019. According to ClutchPoints’ Kris Pursiainen, two major factors influenced Williamson’s decision to split from his agency.
The first factor reportedly stems from Williamson’s long-standing desire to play for the New York Knicks. Even before the Pelicans secured the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Williamson is said to have expressed to CAA his preference for joining the Knicks. The report claims Williamson grew frustrated with the agency for not doing more to facilitate a trade to New York.
However, with the Knicks having already used their trade assets to acquire Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns in the offseason, the chances of Williamson landing in New York in the near future appear slim.
The second source of Williamson’s dissatisfaction with CAA reportedly involved the structure of his five-year, $197 million contract extension signed in January 2022. The deal includes performance and health-based clauses, including requirements related to his weight and games played.
While Williamson had his healthiest season yet last year, playing a career-high 70 games and averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, he suffered a hamstring injury during the Play-In Tournament that sidelined him for the Pelicans’ first-round playoff series against the Thunder.
Despite offseason photos showing a slimmer Williamson, his injury troubles have persisted into the 2024-25 season. He has appeared in just six games so far, raising questions about his durability in the second year of his nearly $200 million extension.