Zion to Hornets for Draft Capital

[louc1970]

I just don't think New Orleans bites at that point. For all the injury and ugh around Zion, there is still an elite offensive force in there. Do they really give up the possibility that returns for a package with very little upside at all?

Maybe that's all you can get, but I bet there is still a team(and it should be Charlotte as one of them imo) willing to give more upside variance to get him. Especially since with the flatter lottery odds, no matter what your record is your chance at one of the top picks is lower.

I just think for a player like Zion, its too soon to settle for BCS of a mid lotto pick. What does that do for them exactly?

That is the conundrum. Does NOP have real trust in Jones and Murphy as leaders/stars or are they simply role players.
If they trust those 2, roll the dice.
For NOP to move Williamson it will take the Hornets best big - Mark Williams - youths Saluan, Mann and Green. Then 3 FRPs.
Seems high but Williamson despite injuries is an offensive force.

That’s a massive overpay that would obviously never happen for Zion. The main appeal of Zion is adding him to a hypothetical front court with Mark Williams who can cover his weaknesses. Offering anything beyond Miles + filler and a couple non Hornets protected firsts is lunacy. Ball/Miller/Zion is intriguing but it’s not THAT intriguing. Pelicans of course are welcome to keep him and continue dealing with what he’s bringing to the franchise if they are enjoying it that much. Hornets have flexibility with their timelines rn. Bailing the Pelicans out of the Zion problem and taking it on your franchise is doing them a bigger favor than you think

It might be, but if I NOP I hold out for the pieces needed to make their team better. And that is a big who fits with Jones/Murphy/Murray.
Not saying I would be willing to trade the players from Charlotte, but that is what it takes.

[Hoopz Afrik]

Zion is the exact type of guy I'd take a gamble on if I'm the Hornets tbh.

[Rich4114]

Saluan + 2025 CHA pick (if lottery) that becomes the 2026 CHA pick if not seems like the right amount of additional compensation to me. It gives New Orleans some decent assets while also letting them move on from this hell.

Nah there's no chance I trade even a long-shot opportunity at Flagg/Harper/Bailey to New Orleans at this point. That's where I pass.

Top 4 protect it through 2027 (or something to that effect)

Yeah it would need to be something like this because his value is not equal to Flagg/Bailey/Harper/Edgecome right now. So I'd be willing to make the crown jewel a 2025 top 4 protected lottery pick or an unprotected 2026 or 27 pick plus some other stuff. If NOLA can replenish their roster with some prospects/cap flexibility and picks... that's a good return for a player who has done almost nothing to help you since being drafted.

I also believe the rumors were true that Zion was on the table in the 23' draft for the #2 pick. Glad that didn't happen now obviously, but that alone tells you it's a matter of time before NOLA moves on from him out of frustration.