Jayson Tatum vs 2nd overall pick

[DeathLineup]

Consider yourself as the Pelicans GM. You have been tasked with moving AD for the best return possible.

Fast forward to a few days before the 2019 NBA draft. Cavs have won the lottery. They are set on Zion and want to keep him. So the 1st overall pick (Zion) is off the market. But Tatum is made available by the Celtics. The 2nd overall pick is available too.

Which trade centerpiece would you rather take?

[kobe_vs_jordan]

I rather have Tatum than 2. Has established a hard floor. Depending how much more I'm getting with one of these center pieces would determine the better package. A lot can change with March Madness.

[pacers33granger]

I think the right answer is Tatum right now, but I think come draft time, NOP would prefer the pick. 2 more years of cheap control and someone other than Zion will get hyped like crazy for that 2nd spot after the tourney and combine.

[Alatan]

Tatum and its not even close.

[DeathLineup]

I think the right answer is Tatum right now, but I think come draft time, NOP would prefer the pick. 2 more years of cheap control and someone other than Zion will get hyped like crazy for that 2nd spot after the tourney and combine.

This. If I'm the Pelicans GM I would rather take the 2nd overall pick.

Tatum indeed has a (very) high floor. But I'm not sure that he got a high ceiling. He has not been special this season.

[Stillwater]

I think the right answer is Tatum right now, but I think come draft time, NOP would prefer the pick. 2 more years of cheap control and someone other than Zion will get hyped like crazy for that 2nd spot after the tourney and combine.

This is probably what it comes down to

[MKWB]

Pretty cool how Pels fans can look forward to starting fresh with likely either Tatum or Zion as the new franchise player, plus more good players, cap space and draft picks.

[The-Power]

In last year's draft I'd have taken the 2nd overall pick, but not in this draft. Give me Tatum (even though I'm fairly confident that someone from this draft will end up being better than him).

[jbk1234]

I'd probably offer the No. 1 pick for Tatum.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using RealGM mobile app

[Prokorov]

Consider yourself as the Pelicans GM. You have been tasked with moving AD for the best return possible.

Fast forward to a few days before the 2019 NBA draft. Let's assume the Cavs get the 1st overall pick. They decide to take Zion and they want to keep him. So the 1st overall pick (Zion) is off the market. But Tatum is made available by the Celtics. The 2nd overall pick is available too.

Which trade centerpiece would you rather take?

I would take the #2 pick. I think Morant will be a generational superstar and I think Zion will be at worst an all-star who brings a ton of hype and media attention due to his following and exciting style of play

also 2 more years on rookie scale.

no shot at tatum, he is as good as you can ask for as well for a young asset.

[Ball4life32]

I'd probably offer the No. 1 pick for Tatum.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using RealGM mobile app

Not that high on Zion or because you are really high on Tatum?

[pelifan]

Tatum is what you hope the #2 pick would be to this point. That 2017 draft class looks really good and tatum still has a real shot at being its best player.

If I had qualms about potentially giving Tatum the max or him really really not wanting to play in NO, I'd prefer the #2. But I dont.

[A BETTER DJ]

You have to take the excellent proven young player over the guy who may or may not pan out.

[username_taken]

I'd probably offer the No. 1 pick for Tatum.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using RealGM mobile app

Tatum is a nice player and all but I don't think you'd find many GMs who would want him over Zion

[babyjax13]

2nd pick, but I'm also incredibly high on Morant. That being said, I think either of these as a centerpiece makes a lot of sense, and the surrounding pieces would be what tips it. My hope is that New Orleans gets the 1st pick in the lottery, and then flips AD for the 2nd pick, I'd love to see Zion and Ja on the same team, and it would at least be a fun consolation prize for losing AD. That being said, I wouldn't ever want to play for a team that had Danny Ferry as GM. No one has forgotten what he said about Deng.

[Patsfan1081]

My opinion might be odd but I'm not as high as everyone else on Zion but I really like Barrett. Barrett/Tatum is really close for me, I'd have to see how he finishes the year out. I'd easily take Tatum over Ja though.

[luka27]

As a Knicks fan if they get number 2 I would trade for Tatum immediately. I will add Knox on top, no hesitation. Tatum, Mitchell, Smith Jr. Ntilikina, Trier and space for 2 max agents would be fantastic.

There are so many question marks with everyone in this draft bellow Zion, so getting someone as good as Tatum already is, you do it without thinking twice.

[euroleague]

I'd take Tatum easily. He is willing to go to the Pelicans, and has already dominated in the playoffs. He is very coachable, and a star in the clutch. The only players I'd take over Tatum on unextended rookie deals:
Ben Simmons
Doncic
Ayton

And Ayton is debatable. Zion may be more valuable, but it's definitely not a sure thing.

[pelifan]

2nd pick, but I'm also incredibly high on Morant. That being said, I think either of these as a centerpiece makes a lot of sense, and the surrounding pieces would be what tips it. My hope is that New Orleans gets the 1st pick in the lottery, and then flips AD for the 2nd pick, I'd love to see Zion and Ja on the same team, and it would at least be a fun consolation prize for losing AD. That being said, I wouldn't ever want to play for a team that had Danny Ferry as GM. No one has forgotten what he said about Deng.

First off Ferry was reading a scouting report. It's still misguided, but those arent his words.

but while we're dreaming I'll move Jrue + the other half of Davis package for 2 more top 5 picks to get the 2 other top Duke freshmen.

[stitches]

I would take Tatum at this point.