NBA Notes: Pelicans, Zion Williamson, Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns, Suns

Pelicans

Zion Williamson finally gave the Pelicans something they’ve desperately wanted for years. That would be relative availability.

As written by ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Williamson played more than 60 games this season for only the third time in his NBA career despite missing time in November with a hamstring injury.

And when he was on the floor, he remained wildly productive.

Williamson ranked second behind Giannis Antetokounmpo in paint points per game and recorded 41 games with at least 20 points despite operating with the lowest usage rate of his career.

Perhaps most importantly for New Orleans, Williamson reportedly satisfied the games-played and conditioning benchmarks tied to his contract, fully guaranteeing his $42.2 million salary for next season.

That doesn’t necessarily mean another extension is immediately coming.

Marks noted Williamson still has two years remaining on his current deal, and because his 2027-28 salary protection situation still needs to be resolved, the Pelicans may prefer to wait before making another major financial commitment.

In other words, Zion helped himself this season. But there’s probably still more proving to do.

Knicks

Karl-Anthony Towns has become one of the biggest reasons the Knicks are headed back to the NBA Finals.

According to Marks, Towns’ playoff performance has only reinforced how valuable he is to New York offensively, even if the scoring numbers aren’t quite as gaudy as usual.

Towns is averaging a career-high six assists during the postseason while shooting an absurd 46.2 percent from three-point range.

The Knicks are also undefeated in playoff games when Towns records at least six assists.

Per ESPN Research, Towns is on pace for one of the best assist-producing postseasons ever by a seven-footer.

Durability has quietly been another major positive. For the third time in five years, Towns played more than 70 games this season — his highest total since 2018-19.

Financially, however, things become tricky.

Towns becomes extension-eligible July 6 and could potentially command as much as four years and $272 million depending on how his player-option situation unfolds.

That would mean paying Towns roughly $75 million at age 34.

As Marks pointed out, the question may not be whether Towns deserves an extension. It’s whether the Knicks are comfortable going that deep financially into his 30s.

Suns

Dillon Brooks brought exactly what the Suns hoped he would when they acquired him — toughness, defense and a little chaos.

“He might agitate the other 29 teams, but for us, he’s exactly what we’re about,” Suns owner Mat Ishbia said earlier this season.

According to Marks, Brooks played a major role in Phoenix improving across several key defensive categories this year.

The Suns jumped from near the bottom of the NBA defensively to one of the league’s stronger units in opponent shooting percentage, turnovers forced and overall defensive rating.

Brooks also delivered the best offensive season of his career, averaging more than 20 points per game for the first time.

With one year remaining on his contract, Brooks becomes extension-eligible July 6. Phoenix can offer up to four years and approximately $125 million.

Still, Marks expects Brooks’ eventual extension number to land below the maximum allowed.

Even so, it’s hard to imagine the Suns wanting to let him go after the impact he made on both ends of the floor.