Zion to Toronto

[Thaddy]

Barrett + Boucher + 2026 1st (worst of Toronto or Indiana) for Zion.

The Pelicans cut 12M next off season. They get back a young and rotation level player. The pick next year could be good if Zion also flops for Toronto.

The Raptors can potential put Zion, Barnes, and whoever they draft in 2025 as their core going forward. Darko is Zions last chance at putting together a superstar career

[Scoot McGroot]

If NO just wants to cut salary, I bet they could get expirings. Like, I’m sure Brooklyn would offer Simmons for Zion.

[babyjax13]

I think it would take the first to move Barrett for an expiring.

[Godaddycurse]

If NO just wants to cut salary, I bet they could get expirings. Like, I’m sure Brooklyn would offer Simmons for Zion.

Toronto can offer expirings too..

[Godaddycurse]

I think it would take the first to move Barrett for an expiring.

I think Barretts is no longer a negative contract with his improvements since the trade.

[babyjax13]

I think it would take the first to move Barrett for an expiring.

I think Barretts is no longer a negative contract with his improvements since the trade.

He's still inefficient, he just has more volume. You could be right, but I don't see it.

[Godaddycurse]

I think it would take the first to move Barrett for an expiring.

I think Barretts is no longer a negative contract with his improvements since the trade.

He's still inefficient, he just has more volume. You could be right, but I don't see it.

He's been playing without Barnes and IQ for most of this year. In the games he played with Barnes he has been much more efficient.

[giberish]

I feel like there's a lot of overlap between Zion and Barnes. Both ideally PF. Some playmaking, limited outside shot, scoring around the rim.

Feels like maybe there's a Zion/Barnes swap. Zion's the higher upside guy but Barnes is much more reliable - to the point that NO's probably adding value.

[Godaddycurse]

I feel like there's a lot of overlap between Zion and Barnes. Both ideally PF. Some playmaking, limited outside shot, scoring around the rim.

Feels like maybe there's a Zion/Barnes swap. Zion's the higher upside guy but Barnes is much more reliable - to the point that NO's probably adding value.

theres zero chance of that. Barnes is as untouchable as it get given his age/contract/status of our rebuild

[jbk1234]

Make it Poeltl instead of Barrett and at least make the Pelicans think about it. They're more than set at wing.

[james vincent]

It feels short sighted for Toronto to do this. Zion can’t even play more than 50% of games in a season. Sure, his talent is undeniable but having a team take him on and add (potential) late lotto (12-15) draft capital on top of that is too much. Besides, Zion wouldn’t want to be there. If he doesn’t want to be in New Orleans then he’ll definitely won’t want to be in another country with cold weather.

[mademan]

I think it would take the first to move Barrett for an expiring.

I think Barretts is no longer a negative contract with his improvements since the trade.

He's still inefficient, he just has more volume. You could be right, but I don't see it.

He may still be seen as a bad contract, but in a rising cap environment, 26mill/year isnt nearly that bad.

For the trade, Barret isnt even needed. Raps can do Brown/Boucher to match salary if Barrett isnt seen as a positive player

[wolves_89]

A rebuilding team seems like a really poor destination for Zion, there's just too many missed games and other issues for a young team to take the risk. I think if Zion gets moved, it will be to a team whose competitive window is closing and they are willing to roll the dice for one last chance at relavence.

[Mr Swagtastic]

I feel like there's a lot of overlap between Zion and Barnes. Both ideally PF. Some playmaking, limited outside shot, scoring around the rim.

Feels like maybe there's a Zion/Barnes swap. Zion's the higher upside guy but Barnes is much more reliable - to the point that NO's probably adding value.

If Toronto said no to Barnes in a Durant deal why all of a sudden move him for Zion? I don't get it, Zion is becoming unplayable because of his attitude. I think New Orleans should look to move Zion at some point but IMHO a Pacer or Raps pick next year isn't too appealing especially considering they would be going on a full on rebuild and Barrett doesn't fit that. I feel like a team will overpay for him that's on cusp a team like San Antonio makes a bunch of sense. They have a bunch of good picks potentially in this draft plus Keldon Johnson and Pop is a great mentor who can do wonders for Zion.

[One_and_Done]

I think Zion is borderline untradeable for fair value, but even I can see this is a pointless and bad trade for New Orleans.

[DonaldSanders]

A rebuilding team seems like a really poor destination for Zion, there's just too many missed games and other issues for a young team to take the risk. I think if Zion gets moved, it will be to a team whose competitive window is closing and they are willing to roll the dice for one last chance at relavence.

I totally agree, which is why the Warriors should at least *consider* Zion, of course depending on price/medicals. Maybe it's a disaster, but with the core aging & only so many seasons left while options not being plentiful, the Warriors should at least think about trying a high risk, high reward move.

[Soca]

A rebuilding team seems like a really poor destination for Zion, there's just too many missed games and other issues for a young team to take the risk. I think if Zion gets moved, it will be to a team whose competitive window is closing and they are willing to roll the dice for one last chance at relavence.

I totally agree, which is why the Warriors should at least *consider* Zion, of course depending on price/medicals. Maybe it's a disaster, but with the core aging & only so many seasons left while options not being plentiful, the Warriors should at least think about trying a high risk, high reward move.

I don't see how Zion fits in a motion offense like GS runs. He's a ball dominant isolation player that scores mostly in the paint.

[jayjaysee]

I’d just trade almost everyone else and tank with Zion on the sidelines before taking this bad of an offer.

He player 70 games last year. I’d just ride it out another year.

Realistically, I think NOP should get what they can (small value/smaller contracts) for CJM and Ingram. And just tank. Zion and DJM can be traded next trade deadline if the team is still not working. No need to look at a long rebuild right now, but no need to waste time saving this season or trading low..