RealGM

Claxton + two 1sts for Zion

BKN trades:
Claxton
Ziaire W.
Milton
'25 MIL 1st
'27 PHI 1st
'28 MEM 2nd
'29 DAL 2nd

for

NOP trades:
Zion
JRE
A. Reeves

*This scenario assumes Pelicans start stringing together wins once McCullom and Murray return, and start clicking to make a push for playoffs/play-in.

Nets seize an opportunity to get a star talent at a discount cost while preserving their tank agenda. They can load manage Zion throughout the season as he recovers from his latest hamstring injury, giving him full medical and psychological resources to get reach and stay at his potential for next season '25/'26. They better their tank clearing out Claxton's talent from the playing roster, and they also preserve cap space to make a splash to add to Zion and Cam Thomas.

Pelicans pivot and finally move on from the Zion rollercoaster headache. While tanking out the injury-riddled season makes sense in fan perspective, that's not a likely choice if they're in reach of play-in with the way the franchise operates and after investing in the Murray trade. They get a defensive force at Center while getting a few extra picks for future moves.

Does BKN really want the most expensive part time employee in history?

JRoy wrote:Does BKN really want the most expensive part time employee in history?

Anthony Davis?
KD?
Kyrie?

Which one are we talking about now?

drchaos wrote:

JRoy wrote:Does BKN really want the most expensive part time employee in history?

Anthony Davis?
KD?
Kyrie?

Which one are we talking about now?

The Anthony Davis who averages over 60 games per season for his career?

If NO starts stringing together wins this won't fly unless they do it with Zion not playing.

JB2 wrote:

drchaos wrote:

JRoy wrote:Does BKN really want the most expensive part time employee in history?

Anthony Davis?
KD?
Kyrie?

Which one are we talking about now?

The Anthony Davis who averages over 60 games per season for his career?

That's the standard now? "Only" missing an average of 20 games a year?

Karl Malone and John Stockton are rolling their eyes somewhere.

JB2 wrote:

drchaos wrote:

JRoy wrote:Does BKN really want the most expensive part time employee in history?

Anthony Davis?
KD?
Kyrie?

Which one are we talking about now?

The Anthony Davis who averages over 60 games per season for his career?

He has been consistent in the last couple seasons but he had the injury bug in LA for a while.

No thanks from Brooklyn.

Claxton has to stay, we could do Simmons for Zion with some mild sweetener. I would be willing to take the risk of it didn't cost much, Williamson might be the next Ben, or he might bounce back in a new environment.

ecuhus1981 wrote:No thanks from Brooklyn.

Claxton has to stay, we could do Simmons for Zion with some mild sweetener. I would be willing to take the risk of it didn't cost much, Williamson might be the next Ben, or he might bounce back in a new environment.

I'm not a Pelicans fan, but that is horribly insulting. Simmons and minor sweetener? Are you joking?

Don't think this is anywhere near enough for Zion. He's a huge talent and worst case scenario, his contract isn't guaranteed. Why he ever agreed to that, I'll never understand.

I think Pelicans will get better offers for him than this, the Bucks pick would have to actually look like a top 5 pick for this to be even close IMO.

Laimbeer wrote:Don't think this is anywhere near enough for Zion. He's a huge talent and worst case scenario, his contract isn't guaranteed. Why he ever agreed to that, I'll never understand.

Wait what it’s not guaranteed? He can straight be waived?

Showtime:Part2 wrote:

Laimbeer wrote:Don't think this is anywhere near enough for Zion. He's a huge talent and worst case scenario, his contract isn't guaranteed. Why he ever agreed to that, I'll never understand.

Wait what it’s not guaranteed? He can straight be waived?

According to Spotrac, Zion is 100% UNG the next three years after this one.

YayBasketball wrote:Claxton + two 1sts for Zion

BKN trades:
Claxton
Ziaire W.
Milton
'25 MIL 1st
'27 PHI 1st
'28 MEM 2nd
'29 DAL 2nd

for

NOP trades:
Zion
JRE
A. Reeves

*This scenario assumes Pelicans start stringing together wins once McCullom and Murray return, and start clicking to make a push for playoffs/play-in.

Nets seize an opportunity to get a star talent at a discount cost while preserving their tank agenda. They can load manage Zion throughout the season as he recovers from his latest hamstring injury, giving him full medical and psychological resources to get reach and stay at his potential for next season '25/'26. They better their tank clearing out Claxton's talent from the playing roster, and they also preserve cap space to make a splash to add to Zion and Cam Thomas.

Pelicans pivot and finally move on from the Zion rollercoaster headache. While tanking out the injury-riddled season makes sense in fan perspective, that's not a likely choice if they're in reach of play-in with the way the franchise operates and after investing in the Murray trade. They get a defensive force at Center while getting a few extra picks for future moves.

Even with his injuries, it’s gonna cost more than Claxton and two 1sts.

penbeast0 wrote:

JB2 wrote:

drchaos wrote:
Anthony Davis?
KD?
Kyrie?

Which one are we talking about now?

The Anthony Davis who averages over 60 games per season for his career?

That's the standard now? "Only" missing an average of 20 games a year?

Karl Malone and John Stockton are rolling their eyes somewhere.

Unfortunately, seems like this generation/era of basketball either leads to more injury and/or players and teams are more prone to sit to avoid damaging their investment/future.

But my point was calling AD a part time player is silly given how many other guys in the NBA should be at the forefront of that list ie. Kawhi, Simmons, Brogdon, etc.

Laimbeer wrote:Don't think this is anywhere near enough for Zion. He's a huge talent and worst case scenario, his contract isn't guaranteed. Why he ever agreed to that, I'll never understand.

Waiving him is only worst case scenario if you're the Pelicans. Worst case scenario if you're the other team is trading a good deal of value and having to waive him.

BBallFreak wrote:

ecuhus1981 wrote:No thanks from Brooklyn.

Claxton has to stay, we could do Simmons for Zion with some mild sweetener. I would be willing to take the risk of it didn't cost much, Williamson might be the next Ben, or he might bounce back in a new environment.

I'm not a Pelicans fan, but that is horribly insulting. Simmons and minor sweetener? Are you joking?

Let me check myself, BBF, as I value your opinion highly. I do not mean to be "horribly insulting" to Zion or NOP fans.

My idea of mild sweetener is: 2 of Sharpe, Wilson or Whitehead, and a future 1st that's not our own. Is that insulting? I think it's realistic. Zion is a distressed asset, NOP may not want to sell low on him but that's what he would fetch from most teams, I would imagine. The non guaranteed nature of his out years does lessen the cap risk, but it's of the all-or-nothing variety. You're not stuck with him if he suffers a career ending injury. IF you cut cord, sure he's off the books for future seasons, but you've just traded those youth assets for nothing. If I'm spending premium future assets, I want more of a sure thing.

Prove me wrong: what would YOU trade from MIA for him? Let's set aside the fit argument, too, as I don't believe he's a better fit in Brooklyn than Miami. Whatcha got for Zion?

ecuhus1981 wrote:

BBallFreak wrote:

ecuhus1981 wrote:No thanks from Brooklyn.

Claxton has to stay, we could do Simmons for Zion with some mild sweetener. I would be willing to take the risk of it didn't cost much, Williamson might be the next Ben, or he might bounce back in a new environment.

I'm not a Pelicans fan, but that is horribly insulting. Simmons and minor sweetener? Are you joking?

Let me check myself, BBF, as I value your opinion highly. I do not mean to be "horribly insulting" to Zion or NOP fans.

My idea of mild sweetener is: 2 of Sharpe, Wilson or Whitehead, and a future 1st that's not our own. Is that insulting?

VERY!

I think it's realistic. Zion is a distressed asset, NOP may not want to sell low on him but that's what he would fetch from most teams, I would imagine. The non guaranteed nature of his out years does lessen the cap risk, but it's of the all-or-nothing variety. You're not stuck with him if he suffers a career ending injury. IF you cut cord, sure he's off the books for future seasons, but you've just traded those youth assets for nothing. If I'm spending premium future assets, I want more of a sure thing.

Prove me wrong: what would YOU trade from MIA for him? Let's set aside the fit argument, too, as I don't believe he's a better fit in Brooklyn than Miami. Whatcha got for Zion?

Every future pick I can muster, Ware, Jaquez...anything but Bam.

BBallFreak wrote:

ecuhus1981 wrote:

BBallFreak wrote:I'm not a Pelicans fan, but that is horribly insulting. Simmons and minor sweetener? Are you joking?

Let me check myself, BBF, as I value your opinion highly. I do not mean to be "horribly insulting" to Zion or NOP fans.

My idea of mild sweetener is: 2 of Sharpe, Wilson or Whitehead, and a future 1st that's not our own. Is that insulting?

VERY!

I think it's realistic. Zion is a distressed asset, NOP may not want to sell low on him but that's what he would fetch from most teams, I would imagine. The non guaranteed nature of his out years does lessen the cap risk, but it's of the all-or-nothing variety. You're not stuck with him if he suffers a career ending injury. IF you cut cord, sure he's off the books for future seasons, but you've just traded those youth assets for nothing. If I'm spending premium future assets, I want more of a sure thing.

Prove me wrong: what would YOU trade from MIA for him? Let's set aside the fit argument, too, as I don't believe he's a better fit in Brooklyn than Miami. Whatcha got for Zion?

Every future pick I can muster, Ware, Jaquez...anything but Bam.

Thank you for the feedback.

To make the money work, I believe you would need to attach either Herro, or both Robinson and Rozier. You good with Duncan/Terry/Kel-El/Jaime? That's an enticing offer IMO. Plus, I think this latest injury and Ingram's recent play has pushed Zion out of NOP's future plans.

ecuhus1981 wrote:

BBallFreak wrote:

ecuhus1981 wrote:Let me check myself, BBF, as I value your opinion highly. I do not mean to be "horribly insulting" to Zion or NOP fans.

My idea of mild sweetener is: 2 of Sharpe, Wilson or Whitehead, and a future 1st that's not our own. Is that insulting?

VERY!

I think it's realistic. Zion is a distressed asset, NOP may not want to sell low on him but that's what he would fetch from most teams, I would imagine. The non guaranteed nature of his out years does lessen the cap risk, but it's of the all-or-nothing variety. You're not stuck with him if he suffers a career ending injury. IF you cut cord, sure he's off the books for future seasons, but you've just traded those youth assets for nothing. If I'm spending premium future assets, I want more of a sure thing.

Prove me wrong: what would YOU trade from MIA for him? Let's set aside the fit argument, too, as I don't believe he's a better fit in Brooklyn than Miami. Whatcha got for Zion?

Every future pick I can muster, Ware, Jaquez...anything but Bam.

Thank you for the feedback.

To make the money work, I believe you would need to attach either Herro, or both Robinson and Rozier. You good with Duncan/Terry/Kel-El/Jaime? That's an enticing offer IMO. Plus, I think this latest injury and Ingram's recent play has pushed Zion out of NOP's future plans.

I will pack everyone bags and drive them to the airport!