Weight loss and Zion Williamson? Yeah, it happened. In a recent photo shared from his basketball camp, the Pelicans superstar looked considerably leaner. And it seems like by the start of the 2024-25 season, Z is planning to shave off a few more pounds of his now 281-pound frame. The standout Duke alum has been at the receiving end of much criticism and heat due to his weight and conditioning. In fact, it even impacted his five-year $197 million contract!

Remember that minefield of a deal? When the details of it dropped – all the clauses, sub-clauses, check-ins, weight points, and more; it was, in a word, dizzying. The most prominent clause of the agreement was the weight check – Zion’s body fat percentage and weight combined couldn’t surpass the 295-pound point.

Breaking down the contract in the latest episode of Gil’s Arena was Josiah Johnson. And suffice it to say, the rest of the crew were shell-shocked when Johnson kept reading out the specifics. Being 285 pounds meant that anything over 10% body fat would immediately trigger the weight clause. Considering Zanos’ latest look, it seems the 24-year-old has no plans of coming close to even triggering the clause. But that wasn’t all.

How Zion Williamson can truly guarantee the salary?

In theory, New Orleans can waive Williamson with no loss to the franchise. The likelihood of that is very low, though. However, the fact remains that the 2019 No. 1 pick still have to hit a few specifications to guarantee his salary. Every season. Let’s take a look at how it reportedly works:

• First and foremost, he will have “six weigh-in checkpoints” to pass in order for 10% of his salary for the 2025-26 season to be guaranteed.
• The next point to note is for Zion to play a minimus of 41 games in the 2024-25 season, yet another 40% of his salary will be guaranteed. An extension of this is playing a minimum of 51 games would guarantee 20% on top of the 40. In addition, playing 61 games without violating the weight clause (the above-mentioned weight and body fat percentage not passing the 295-pound limit), would leave him with the entirety of his 2025-26 salary.

Hearing Johnson detail these, Gilbert Arenas looked flabbergasted.We had the same reaction initially, don’t worry. But it was Lexie Brown who said what everyone was thinking. “So, he could potentially not have any money guarantee?” However, Johnson wasn’t done shocking his co-hosts just yet.

‘Zanos’ will have to prove himself each year

2023-24 was a special season for Zion Williamson, the Pels, and fans. Despite injuries hitting him, the 2x All-Star played a career-high 70 games, averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. It definitely was disappointing to not see the superstar of the ‘Crescent City’ on the floor. But there’s only so much control one can have over injuries.

And on that note, here are the other two clauses Z will have to pay attention to.

• Josiah pointed out that “same rules apply to subsequent seasons as well.” Basically, the markers mentioned above is something that Zion Williamson will have to hit every season. Be it the weight or the number of games, No. 1 will have to ensure he passes the stipulated guidelines.
• Now this next one might seem a little harsh, but there is a business side to sports, too. If Williamson suffers a significant issue with his surgically repaired fifth metatarsal in his right foot, or as the contract describes ‘hardware failure,’ half of his 2024-25 season salary will become non-guaranteed.

Shocking? Yes. Realistic? Also, yes. Here’s why

Brown was once again in shock as to who cooked up the contract or why Zion would sign off on it. And this time, ‘Agent Zero’ had the answer. “He missed the whole season the year before 2021-22.” Yes, these rules work as a protection for the Pelicans if their star player fails to deliver, for whatever reason. On the other end, it can serve as a motivation for the player to keep working and get rewarded for his hard work.

Then again, these are effective only if the franchise decides to waive or trade him. Because if he isn’t waived or traded on or before Jan. 7, 2025, that season’s salary becomes fully guaranteed. This is the scenario for the rest of his contract years, only, the guarantee date is July 15 of the offseason prior.

So, in short, these stringent rules aren’t as scary as they look until Z’s career deteriorates to a point where his team will be forced to let go of him. Given that Zion Williamson just upgraded himself and promised the goal is 272 pounds when ‘The Pelican State’ hosts the Bulls for the 2024-25 season opener, we can safely say that this might indeed be his breakout season – the same Zion Williamson that attracted crowds in droves during his Duke days.

 Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.