Zion to Toronto is only sensible option if he's traded...Here's how it may go down

[eitanr]

Toronto is currently sitting in no man's land. They seem to be on the brink of tanking, yet their long term contracts on record and lack of embracing tanking (despite their record) indicate otherwise.

Masai has previously dealt for a depreciating asset with an injury history in Kawhi, and given their team's structure and awkward long term status, he is ripe again to make the same play for Zion.

Meanwhile in New Orleans, Griffin has made it clear who is a keeper long term (i.e. Herb Jones, Trey Murphy and Messi) and who is not. Zion's name was notably omitted sending clear signals the Pels are open to moving him. On a final note, we must also consider the job security of the GMs and front office staff. Masai is still living off a great title run and lauded as a top exec in the game, a reputation, that despite recent poor team performances, is still strong around NBA circles. On the flip, Griffin was ousted in Cleveland and now has a string of dissappointing finishes in New Orleans. The Pels are en route to miss the play-in by a decent margin and it would seem Griffin would be first on the hot seat among league execs. Desperate front offices call for more panic moves.

On a final note, if your Griffin you would need talent that can help resurrect your franchise, stays on the court, and competes back to get into a play-in and hopefully that leads to a contract extension. If your Masai, you hope a new start for Zion, perhaps signalling a friendship with former roommate RJ, is the key to rejuvination for the 24 year old.

Without further ado, let's analyze potential scenarios:

1. RJ Barrett, Chris Boucher FOR Zion Williamson

Why for TOR: Wait, what? OP, didn't you just say the whole appeal of getting Zion is a relationship with RJ? Yes, ideally, but I can't see a scenario where you are acquiring Zion and thinking the trio of he, Barnes and RJ would work. There is a ton of lack of spacing and players who need the ball among the trio. Toronto takes advantage of RJ's increased market value (with Barnes out) and starts Dick at the wing, which would lend for a more sensible Zion/Barnes/Dick 4-2 and Quick (when he's back) and Poetl at the 5 combo...Such a unit would have some spacing, great defense and sensible roles to excel.

Why for NOP: RJ will play. He is a steady contributor and can adapt to a variety of roles including 6th man, spot starter, lead usage talent, or distributor. Given the Pels injury histories, it is important that whoever they acquire actually plays...and given the need for a play-in push and lack of reliability elsewhere...RJ will do that in a variety of roles. Boucher is an expiring add-in, but does provide needed center depth...especially a spacing 5 which the team does not really have.

2. Jakob Poetl, Chris Boucher FOR Zion Williamson

Why for TOR: Losing Poetl in a Zion move would hurt. The team would need center protection on D and Poetl's passing can really help. BUT, Toronto still has KO who could emerge as a great spacing 5 for Zion to operate. Raps also look at this long term and note that centers drop in the draft (look at Messi who is now untouchable in NOP) and could get that need next off season while the integrate Zion.

Why for NOP: While the value may scare some fans here, the fit is immaculate. Poetl is perfect for New Orleans, a team with some starting unit chaos and role uncertainty could really use a 5 who helps on D and the glass and is a passing big to allow for their higher usage talents to get in better position to score. If Griffin keeps Ingram, Poetl is a great short term fit next to him at the 5.

3. Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher, Bruce Brown FOR Zion Williamson, Jordan Hawkins

Why for TOR: This is a bit riskier as Barnes has developed well and is a model citizen in Toronto. Having said that, and as previously noted IF we align that Zion/Barnes/RJ is a real tough long term trio AND RJ's relationship is key for Zion AND Poetl is necessary as the center tandem for him THEN Barnes is the odd man out. Barnes' value is highest among potential Toronto targets so the question is what else does NOP actually need to add to make it worthwhile. Here I added Hawkins, but maybe a draft pick swap is necessary...super risky for NOP, but if you're a GM on the hot seat and need that play-in slot for job security it could be on the table.

[gswhoops]

#3 is definitely not happening. Barnes >>> Zion in terms of value at this point.

#1, I don't think NO would take on Barrett's contract. They could just release Zion if they're that desperate.

#2 is the closest IMO but I don't see NO trading Zion without getting some long term value back (i.e., picks/prospects).

[mademan]

Toronto isnt in no mans land, lol. Theyre tanking for a top 5 pick with a great young talent on the roster.

Trade 1 and 2 i would do just because the payoff is worth the non-risk (Zion can be cut for free, no?). You lose Poeltl in the 2nd, but still, the upside of Zion is worth it.

Trade 3 is just a non starter.

[JJ_PR]

Number 2 seems to be the more sensible option. The Pels desperately need a Center. Number 3 is wildly unrealistic; Barnes is Raptors best player and prospect.

[KembaWalker]

Barnes is overrated but he's not this overrated.

Toronto is a good option but not uniquely, kind of like every bad team that isn't a FA player. We don't get chances at Zion level talents to add to our teams for free so taking a chance on the rare ones on discount in the trade market even with caveats and warts is always going to be justifiable to some. When you already want to lose, gambling on a guy like Zion for pennies on the dollar is a no brainer because you get a good outcome either way whether he plays or not. However there are plenty of teams in this boat and they will drive the market at least somewhat more than replaceable scraps or expirings

[gswhoops]

Barnes is overrated but he's not this overrated.

Toronto is a good option but not uniquely, kind of like every bad team that isn't a FA player. We don't get chances at Zion level talents to add to our teams for free so taking a chance on the rare ones on discount in the trade market even with caveats and warts is always going to be justifiable to some. When you already want to lose, gambling on a guy like Zion for pennies on the dollar is a no brainer because you get a good outcome either way whether he plays or not. However there are plenty of teams in this boat and they will drive the market at least somewhat more than replaceable scraps or expirings

Yeah agree with this 100%. If Toronto has a chance to get a guy who's a potential franchise talent for pennies on the dollar, they basically have to take it and hope it works out.

Kelly O
Zion
Barnes/RJ
Dick/Agbaji
Quickley/Walter

+ a top 5 pick in the upcoming draft could be the start of something good if Zion can put down the fork and stay healthy.

[ItsDanger]

Zion has 0 playoff games in his 6th season. Has been completely unreliable injury wise. He's getting dumped for 1 or 2 1sts plus trash expirings. Refer to that Porzingis trade.

[wegotthabeet]

Barnes is overrated but he's not this overrated.

Toronto is a good option but not uniquely, kind of like every bad team that isn't a FA player. We don't get chances at Zion level talents to add to our teams for free so taking a chance on the rare ones on discount in the trade market even with caveats and warts is always going to be justifiable to some. When you already want to lose, gambling on a guy like Zion for pennies on the dollar is a no brainer because you get a good outcome either way whether he plays or not. However there are plenty of teams in this boat and they will drive the market at least somewhat more than replaceable scraps or expirings

Ironically Charlotte fits the mold of rolling the dice on Zion a lot more than Toronto.

Makes zero sense from Toronto’s perspective. The fit is horrible next to Barnes and I have to double check but this move also probably puts them in cap purgatory.

[WhatsaTDot]

Its probably worth the gamble on either 1 or 2 but definitely not 3.

[Ell Curry]

Poeltl has a place with Zion and Barnes on the team. You still need at least one 25+ minute center. Not sure RJ would fit as well, and he makes more.

Zion for Barrett and Boucher costs Toronto like 12M a year, so going from safe but meh RJ to risky but high reward Zion is not a crazy way to spend half of the 24M or so (can't know without knowing the Raptors draft pick number, but they're 37M under the tax, their 2 picks will combine for between 7-14M in salary and likely Battle and Chomche stick around at minimum for 3.6M total, so that's like 21-26M in space) in under the luxury tax space, and you use the other 10-12M to extend Agbaji a year early and get favorable terms on a deal, or bring back Davion Mitchell, or use the non-tax MLE. If the Raps pick as low as like 8th, they can probably get to the 14M full non-tax MLE in this scenario, though it's easier if you can do something like Olynyk for Gabe Vincent and save a couple million, or if say Battle (he can only shoot but he's young, cheap and he really can shoot!) and/or the good Portland 2nd rounder is in the trade as a sweetener for New Orleans and you carry 14 players instead of 15.

No idea if the Pelicans are into Barrett. He seems like a bad fit with Ingram, but maybe Ingram is moved as well as Zion and they go full tank, then sure Barrett fits, with DeJounte and Alvarado at PG, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Barrett, Hawkins and the Pelicans 2025 lotto pick as the 5 guys playing minutes at the 2-4 spots, and then Missi and a 2nd center back for Ingram, like Ayton or Zach Collins in a trade (Ayton would be a 3-way) or they sign a center like Capela, Looney or Isaiah Jackson this summer or maybe they get a mid-range first for Ingram and they pick Maluach, Queen or Sorber.

[the_process]

TOR would have to add picks to trade 2 to get a deal done.

NOP isn't giving him away.

[YayBasketball]

Barnes is overrated but he's not this overrated.

Toronto is a good option but not uniquely, kind of like every bad team that isn't a FA player. We don't get chances at Zion level talents to add to our teams for free so taking a chance on the rare ones on discount in the trade market even with caveats and warts is always going to be justifiable to some. When you already want to lose, gambling on a guy like Zion for pennies on the dollar is a no brainer because you get a good outcome either way whether he plays or not. However there are plenty of teams in this boat and they will drive the market at least somewhat more than replaceable scraps or expirings

Ironically Charlotte fits the mold of rolling the dice on Zion a lot more than Toronto.

Makes zero sense from Toronto’s perspective. The fit is horrible next to Barnes and I have to double check but this move also probably puts them in cap purgatory.

Yea Hornets are the Zion gamble team fa sho. That would be my bet if he I'd eventually traded, more likely in the offseason.

[Tripod]

Boucher and Brown + 2nd(Port) + 1st in 2017 is the most I would offer.

[BlackThought]

Take off your homer glasses and then you'll see that they're not in no man's land. They're one of the worst teams in the league especially with all these injuries (Poeltl particularly).

That said if the price is right they could take a shot at Zion but in no way is it necessary. For the record I don't see how that help that Pelicans unless the Raptors give up significant assets (which at that point I don't think the Raptors should do that).

[Andre Roberstan]

Interesting idea, but Toronto definitely isn't the only option. It is an intriguing one, but I would frankly be shocked if Zion wound up there.

[Tripod]

Ironically, what the Raps could use most is a young, cheaper OG.

Someone who can guard POA guys on defense and then hit 3's on offense. Ochai is doing well at both but OG is just bigger and better.

[One_and_Done]

Pels would only do #3, which of course the Raptors would never do.

[Thaddy]

Barrett is a better asset than Zion. Zion has lost motivation and doesn't look like he wants to play anymore. The injury and weight issues are going to get worse as he continues with his contract. His body type isn't made to handle 82 games + playoffs and the Raptors can't load manage him.

The NOP have likely talked around the league about Zion and there is probably very little interest. His contract is long term and crippling. Teams are seeing the issues with the aprons and how it can impact franchises down the road. I can't see anyone giving up any meaningful picks or assets for Zion.

Barrett has shown a lot of growth from his Knick days. He's the best scorer on Toronto and his numbers right now don't reflect the role he should be in later. Toronto has had serious injury issues to their core players. Barnes was out to start the season, then Barnes got an eye injury, and most recently he's injured his foot. IQ has been out for a majority of the season. Brown, Olynyk, and other role players have been out for most of the season. Most recently their only viable C option is going to be gone for a few weeks due to a freak slip causing a groin injury.

Toronto would probably offer Brown, Mitchell, Boucher, and 2 2nd round picks at the very most.

RJ is putting up 24/7/6 so far this season and is posting the highest BPM in his career.

[oldncreaky]

I don't see it.

2018 Raptors were coming off a 59-23 season, and arguably the deepest team in the league with Norm Powell as the 11th man. They had issues, notably the lack of a true #1, but they were a good team with a window, and a legit reason to take a risk on the one thing they didn't have.

2024 Raptors have an obvious starting 5 (Barnes/Barrett/Quickley/Poeltl/Dick) that has played a grand total of 4 minutes together in the last 12 months because of injuries. They might have something worth building on, they might top out at a play-in loser, but truth is nobody really knows. They'd be nuts to take a huge swing rn given the team's situation, so they'd only offer a poo-poo platter, and NOP should just say no to that.

[165bows]

Zion has 0 playoff games in his 6th season. Has been completely unreliable injury wise. He's getting dumped for 1 or 2 1sts plus trash expirings. Refer to that Porzingis trade.

Prob right on the first part, but the KP trade isn't relevant, he was a FA.