Butler for Zion. Who says no?

[nykballa2k4]

So Zion is pouting in NOLA, Jimmy is being a bad soldier in Miami.

Herb Jones seems like he would have to be included from a contract POV.

Other iteration could be with CJ swapped for Rozier

The meat of the deal is Zion for Butler.

Which team would say no?

In terms of rationale for each side:
Zion is locked into his contract, doesn't seem to want to be there, can't stay healthy, and it's unclear what his trade market is. Seems like big markets or bust. Unclear what those teams are willing to offer.
Butler probably won't want to play. He also will either opt-in to facilitate a sign and trade to a preferred destination who does not have cap space OR will simply walk.
Either way NOLA either frees up considerable cap space OR is able to trade Jimmy with more leverage either at the deadline or offseason because they don't mind losing and trading him for primarily draft capital. Heat have a very narrow goal.

Miami's rationale is simple: Zion is a force when he stomps onto the court. Like if Shaq, Vince Carter, and end-stage Charles Barkley all became one. Miami has a strict fitness rule and you can see it helped Shaq at the end of his career as well as Antione Walker at that same time. Kevin Love has been effective for Miami of course. It would probably be the biggest (pound for pound) gamble in Pat's tenure in Miami, but if it works, they would have a core of Bam, Herro, and Zion locked in.

[psman2]

NOP says no. IF and when they get tired of Zion they will be a bigger trade market than for him than Butler currently has. And if NO don't find that market they have outs in that contract with no GTD money after next season. Butler likely doesn't even show up and that is the best outcome to expect for NO. I don't see how NO gains any leverage over Butler if they trade for him and want to re-trade him.

Edit. And the Herb Jones inclusion here to make the money work is funny. Even injured he has more than trade value than Butler.

[Celts17Pride]

NO says no.

[wolves_89]

Trading for a 35 year old with serious contract issues seems like an exceptionally bad idea for the Pelicans. New Orleans needs to start down the rebuild road and look to move Williamson, Ingram, McCollum, and Murray for the best picks/prospects they can get.

[BBallFreak]

Miami can't say yes fast enough, no l New Orleans can't say no fast enough

[zimpy27]

Miami can't say yes fast enough, no l New Orleans can't say no fast enough

Would Miami add picks?

[BBallFreak]

Miami can't say yes fast enough, no l New Orleans can't say no fast enough

Would Miami add picks?

We only have one we can trade but I would hope so

[tmorgan]

Man what a fun scenario that would be. Spo and Riley would either push him to actually care (and succeed) or he would flame out so incredibly badly it would be a debacle for the ages!

[gambitx777]

Zion probably lol

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[BBallFreak]

Zion probably lol

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True I can't see him willingly going to that type of demanding program.

[MoneyTalks41890]

“Zion you’re going to need to report with under 10% body fat…. Hello?”

[GoBobs]

Both teams say no. Zion is trash based on his histroy of production, but Pelicans still want to much for him.