DrModesty wrote:While Zion is a depressed asset relative to his talent, I still think the Bulls have no shot at getting him without Matas in the deal and you possibly need to put in #12 on top of that.
Coby is not a high value asset. The $12m contract is positive value, but that is suppressed somewhat by it being expiring. On a well built team Coby is the 6th man who starts when your perimeter scorers are injured or have extended poor form. He is in the same class as Malik Monk (who I prefer slightly to Coby). I think Coby in isolation would return a pick in the 18-25 range. Add in to this, that the Pelicans have C.J McCollum who is a very similar player to Coby and Jordan Hawkins on the bench as a solid but unremarkable prospect in the same vein. So he isn't filling a hole for them.
The #12 pick is something that has real value, but not premium value. You can argue that Zion doesn't deserve premium value because of his availability issues. I agree with this, but #12 is actually far away from premium value. Even Matas himself is not premium value. Matas is a good, borderline very good prospect. But I don't think he is viewed as a virtually guaranteed star. I think people around the league would have him as similar value to a guy like Derrick Lively rather than Amen Thompson who is an actual premium asset. The Pelicans would need someone on the level of a Matas in the return to sell to their fanbase. Someone who for sure will be a good player and has a chance of turning in to an all star caliber player.
Remember that by talent Zion is an untradable player who would actually fetch a clear all star, plus a good prospect, plus many picks and swaps. An offer of Matas even with #12 added would be seen as a joke if Zion didn't have his issues. With the issues, Matas represent a real offer the Pelicans would have to take seriously and may possibly out compete others. I wouldn't give up Matas for Zion given his risk and additionally he doesn't seem like a good fit with Giddey who would be the only other real consequential player you have. But that likely means no Zion in Chicago.
Considering the fact that the offers they got were basically salary dumps and that Pelican ownership is mandating Dumars to trade him. The trade might be surprisingly low.
