Anthony Davis. Chris Paul. Now, Zion Williamson? Could the 21-year-old phenom be the next superstar to leave the New Orleans Pelicans and follow in the footsteps of the big names before him?

At this point, it sounds like this is going to be a real possibility. The Pelicans — general manager David Griffin, in particular — have been criticized for how they've handled Zion and his injuries. As such, there has been talk of Williamson needing to leave New Orleans in order for him to achieve his true potential. As it appears, this could actually be a real possibility at this point.

According to NBA insider William Guillory of The Athletic, Zion could say no to the Pelicans when they offer him a contract extension next summer. Doing so would allow him to enter free agency in 2023 once his current contract expires:

There’s even been discussion about him potentially passing up the opportunity to sign a max extension with the Pelicans in the summer of 2022 to accelerate his exit. After all the injury trouble he’s gone through, it would almost be insane for Williamson to pass up the security of a long-term contract worth well over $100 million.

Guillory has an excellent counterargument, though. At this point in his career, with all the weight and injury problems he's currently facing, it would be a significant risk for him to turn down a massive extension from the Pelicans next summer. For all intents and purposes, putting pen to paper on that extension would be the safest route for Williamson.

It is worth noting that there have also been whispers of the Pelicans shutting down Zion for the rest of the season to let him properly recover. This would have a huge impact on his position next summer once New Orleans table their offer. If Williamson is able to return to action this season, AND if he's able to recapture top form then he would be in a better spot to potentially turn down that extension. He would have shattered the “injury-prone” label that has haunted him and thereby possibly attract an ever bigger offer in 2023. Otherwise, he might be left with no choice but to commit his future to the Pelicans by signing that extension this summer.