Another bad news hit the New Orleans Pelicans: the head coach of the Pelicans shed tears as four of his star players made a final decision to terminate their huge contracts.
(AP) Richmond, VA. A federal appeals court upheld a 2021 decision that NBA player Zion Williamson’s 2019 contract with a marketing agent was null and void due to the agent’s lack of a North Carolina license at the time of the arrangement.
Gina Ford, an agent located in Florida, had asked Williamson for $100 million, saying the former Duke All-American had breached an agreement she had with him to represent him in endorsement negotiations.
Ford was not a licensed agent in North Carolina at the time she signed a contract with Williamson, according to a federal judge there, and their agreement did not meet the essential conditions stipulated under the state’s sports agent statute. Williamson was exempt from fines for breaching the contract because she lacked a license.
Declaring, “Zion Williamson played 70 games,” would not seem like a very noteworthy accomplishment. But it’s a highlight considering that he only appeared in 114 games across the course of four seasons prior. It’s hope, not just a highlight. Though hope was short-lived since he missed the whole first round of the playoffs, hope was still present.
How it came to an end
far too many shots from mid-range. With former All-Star Brandon Ingram appearing to refuse to take 3-pointers—he attempted just eight in the Pelicans’ first-round series defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder—the present iteration of the team is probably coming to an end. Remember, that’s not eight per game. That is all. In a span of forty-five minutes.
This season, defensive star Herb Jones has improved his shooting significantly, making 41.8% of his attempts from beyond the arc. It appears that the Pelicans should alter their starting lineup significantly at this point. Trey Murphy, the long-range gunner, deserves more time and accountability as well, especially to support Williamson, who can take up as much room as is humanly feasible.
This begs the question of Jonas Valančiūnas’s future. If the Lithuanian big had played in the 1990s, he most likely would have been an All-Star, but given Williamson’s lack of shooting ability, his large size and advanced post skills aren’t exactly a necessary asset in today’s NBA. One poor shooter in a starting unit is enough to get you by, but not two.
This summer, Valančiūnas will become a free agent and has the option to depart the Pelicans completely. But the Pelicans might be wise and re-sign him, then trade him in the run-up to the NBA trade deadline in 2025. Alternatively, they might look for off-season sign-and-trade agreements.
The largest component, though, is Ingram. The 26-year-old, who had a fantastic season finale, showed that he was utterly unpredictable when it came to choosing shots.
It’s necessary to drastically change course and pare down the roster, with players like Jones, Murphy, and rookie guard Jordan Hawkins being considerably more willing to participate and spread the floor for Williamson.
