There have been rumblings about the New Orleans Pelicans potentially looking to trade star Zion Williamson, but that task gets trickier after a deadline passed on Thursday.

If the Pelicans had placed Williamson on waivers before Tuesday, they would’ve been on the hook for only a portion of his $39.4 million salary for the upcoming season. The final two seasons of his contract would have also been wiped off the books.

Zion Williamson’s contract has been the topic of discussion since the details were made public. The Pelicans were afforded a number of protections over the duration of the deal, but Williamson retained the ability to guarantee his money through various avenues.