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Zion's contract could end after this season as remaining 3 years aren't guaranteed due to conditions(s) not met already (as I understand it). Next guarantee date is July 2025. Details in link.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/_/id/31558/zion-williamson

Missed season opener with illness. Major red flag. Missed couple of other games before hamstring news. Related, who knows? Immature? Headcase? Wants out? Injury prone? Body too big for basketball? Whatever it is, it's not happening in New Orleans. Just accept it.

The question is, what is the absolute minimum that New Orleans would accept for Zion right now to just start fresh? They're actually not in a terrible position to pivot quickly off any move.

Or do they just go on every year without being able to rely in him? I'd cut my losses now. If it's multiple 1sts, that's too high.

Even if no real assets are attached it’s a lot of salary.

Trade him to the 76'rs in the off-season
NO
Out: Zion & '25 Mil FRP (Protected), '25 FRP, '27 Mil FRP and '27 Chi FRP
In: Embid

76'rs
Out: Embid
In: Zion & '25 Mil FRP (Protected), '25 FRP, '27 Mil FRP and '27 Chi FRP

Did something new happen? Why are we making major statements of character based on announced injuries?

I doubt NO will give him up cheap to your favorite team, if that’s the question. They have downside protection on his contract in the form of non guarantees. They’d never have to pay him more than one season out if they choose to. The upside of his play is too great to just swap him for stuff. They’d probably want the “multiple 1sts” type offer.

I would not give up enough to make me Orleans give up on him. Can't stay on the floor, can't get/stay in shape (that video of him getting a back tattoo was uh... Not flattering), really expensive even if there's potential outs. Imagine there's no trade because teams are to scared to give stuff up for him

Think if Bucks or Philly trade their stars is there a better prospect than Zion out there? Chet next best potential prospect available for a star and has similar injury concerns.

I'd gamble a bunch of role players, and the 2027 Dallas pick, and just hope the stars align that all of LaMelo/Miller/Bridges/Zion/Mark Williams somehow stay healthy in the same season. If the Pelicans are somehow interested in Tidjane Salaun, I'd probably send him as value too but in full disclosure I've never seen anything interesting there, the front office likely does not feel the same way.

kobe_vs_jordan wrote:Think if Bucks or Philly trade their stars is there a better prospect than Zion out there? Chet next best potential prospect available for a star and has similar injury concerns.

I seriously doubt Chet is available, for a star or otherwise.

AmusingFiddle wrote:Trade him to the 76'rs in the off-season
NO
Out: Zion & '25 Mil FRP (Protected), '25 FRP, '27 Mil FRP and '27 Chi FRP
In: Embid

76'rs
Out: Embid
In: Zion & '25 Mil FRP (Protected), '25 FRP, '27 Mil FRP and '27 Chi FRP

I'm sorry but what did Chicago receive in this situation to give up their 2027 1st? Hope it was good.

jbk1234 wrote:

kobe_vs_jordan wrote:Think if Bucks or Philly trade their stars is there a better prospect than Zion out there? Chet next best potential prospect available for a star and has similar injury concerns.

I seriously doubt Chet is available, for a star or otherwise.

Don’t think okc would trade him for Giannis?

Dez wrote:

AmusingFiddle wrote:Trade him to the 76'rs in the off-season
NO
Out: Zion & '25 Mil FRP (Protected), '25 FRP, '27 Mil FRP and '27 Chi FRP
In: Embid

76'rs
Out: Embid
In: Zion & '25 Mil FRP (Protected), '25 FRP, '27 Mil FRP and '27 Chi FRP

I'm sorry but what did Chicago receive in this situation to give up their 2027 1st? Hope it was good.

I read on sportrac that NOP owns their '27 FRP. might be wrong

MY BAD! Its a 2nd Round Pick that Chi owes to OKC.

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For Miami, we'd have to have a conversation with him beforehand. We don't do special treatment so his not being in shape wouldn't be acceptable. If he's willing to buy in, I'd trade anything but Bam for him.

kobe_vs_jordan wrote:

jbk1234 wrote:

kobe_vs_jordan wrote:Think if Bucks or Philly trade their stars is there a better prospect than Zion out there? Chet next best potential prospect available for a star and has similar injury concerns.

I seriously doubt Chet is available, for a star or otherwise.

Don’t think okc would trade him for Giannis?

I'm skeptical

Suns offer a slightly used Bradley Beal.

Based on their current situation they should start by firing the medical staff.

babyjax13 wrote:Based on their current situation they should start by firing the medical staff.

They already did 2 seasons ago. Most of the injuries this year (and most) were random: Murray breaking his hand first game, Podz landing on Herb's shoulder, etc. The half-joking legend is that the Superdome (and Pelicans arena) were built on Indian burial grounds, so both the Saints and Hornets/Pelicans are cursed. And looking at the history, that actually seems plausible.

Yea most in tune fans are done with the Z experience. But asset management wise, the move is to let him come back in the second half of the season and show he can stll play well and be impactful. Then this next offseason seriously explore Zion trades like never before.

I think they actually have tried to trade him before, but other teams/GMs around the league know that he doesn't take the game seriously and is immature, on top of his medical/injury/body issues. So the value offers weren't there. But at this point, it should be approaching sunk cost territory.

Of course, he will return and have spurts of looking like an impactful franchise keeper. Only to let the team down later. Time for a fresh start for all. But probably won't come til next offseason, if at all.

Butler+Rozier+Jaquez?

Simmons, Bogdanovic, Schroeder and picks for Zion, CJ, J Robinson-Earl.
Picks could be 2027 NY first and maybe 2029 first.
NO gets a ton of expiring salary. Resets with a high first in the draft along with current guys.
BKN tanks this year and hopes to roll out strong next year.

Hornets should be the team for Zion. Hometown kid, lower role and expectations. Lamelo/Miller/Zion is about as perfect a fit as you could ever ask for. Solves the problem of Charlotte's extremely one note offense without modifying Lees ideals of only shooting 3s and paint. The health is a problem of course but that’s life in the modern NBA. If he goes down you’re back to just relying on LaMelo and Miller anyway.

Miles and whatever decent pick package

Melo/Martin/Miller/Zion/Williams


That lineup could win a playoff series in the east easily if by some miracle they were all healthy at the same time

With Grant Williams likely out for the year after looking like blowing out his knee last night, we pretty much have to do something to address the front court or just tank, Zion would be a fine gamble if he flopped we just stay on and our whatever trajectory anyway

I think the most any team would be willing to offer would be less than New Orleans would be willing to accept unless they are just convinced Zion is never going to care and they just want out of the Zion business. The risk is so high that offers will reflect that. But the upside means giving up on him only to see him take his body more seriously elsewhere is a risk no FO person is probably willing to take.

But I'd just sit him this season with a mandate to get your body as right as you possibly can, trade off BI, and CJ if you can and plan for next year after adding a high lotto pick.