New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson and his agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), have split, as first reported by Sam Amick and Joe Vardon of The Athletic. The agency represents a variety of NBA stars like the New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, as well as fellow All-Stars like Donovan Mitchell and Devin Booker. What’s interesting about Williamson’s decision to switch agencies is that the Knicks themselves indirectly played a role in the split between the Pelicans forward and CAA.
Even before the 2019 NBA Draft lottery sealed Williamson’s fate as the Pelicans’ first overall pick, he had long made it clear to the agency that he wanted to play in New York. After starting his career in New Orleans, Williamson expected more from his representation when it came to seeking a trade to New York. That was one of two driving factors that led to the split, the source said.
In addition to his connection to the Knicks, Williamson’s contract has been another element in the deterioration of the relationship between the two sides. Zion extended his time with New Orleans in January 2022 by agreeing to a five-year, $197 million deal. This deal was initially unusual due to the extent of his injuries and weight checks that made certain aspects of the deal non-guaranteed.
Williamson’s contract is currently fully guaranteed through the 2024-25 season, as long as the Pelicans do not waive him by Jan. 7, according to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov. His 2025-26 contract is 100 percent protected if Williamson is on the team’s roster after July 15. There are also a handful of weight checks that will earn Zion 20 percent of his salary if he passes all six during the 2024-25 season.