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Pretty simple scenario

NOLA is ready to rebuild, and wants to get as far up in the 2025 draft as they can

Team X is willing to gamble on Zion, and offer up their draft pick this year. Assume neutral value salary filler to match Zion's contract.

It depends on the team, right?

And from everything I have seen, this draft is a 3-person draft at Top with Flagg, Harper and Ace.

I doubt any team landing Top 3 would trade it for Zion.

But then that bleeds to my next thought regarding this, wouldn't the Pelicans want Zion next to their Top 4-5 draft pick? Zion is an impact monster when on the court and would make life a hell of a lot easier for any young players.

I think the first team which comes to mind is Philly if they land #6. Can they cobble up the salary matching outside of PG13? Probably not, but that's enticing next to Maxey.

The Trailblazers at 9 are an easy one and have the expiring Ayton as salary.

We saw San Antonio trade one of their lottery picks this past season for a future asset. Maybe they trade the worst of their two picks + Vassell for Zion?

No thanks from POR.

Need to draft and build around a star level player.

JRoy wrote:No thanks from POR.

Need to draft and build around a star level player.

Zion is much more of a star than any player picked in the mid-late lottery.

Also, Scoot seems to be coming around and there is no reason he doesn't still have star potential.

My gut says second half of the lottery, i.e. picks #8-14, is the sweet spot.

Given the nature of this draft, the conversation starts at the 4th pick. Then, it highly depends on who the Pels like vs. who is available after Flagg, Harper and Bailey go.

This new in-shape Zion is pretty awesome, though. Wonder how long it holds up before something goes wrong.

ReggiesKnicks wrote:

JRoy wrote:No thanks from POR.

Need to draft and build around a star level player.

Zion is much more of a star than any player picked in the mid-late lottery.

Also, Scoot seems to be coming around and there is no reason he doesn't still have star potential.

Zion is an expensive player who has played less than half the games in his career and brings zero professionalism, leadership or intangibles.

Hard pass.

Also disagree about Scoot, though he is trending toward average which is a huge improvement for him.

Felt pretty good about #5-8. More towards #5 or #6.

JRoy wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:

JRoy wrote:No thanks from POR.

Need to draft and build around a star level player.

Zion is much more of a star than any player picked in the mid-late lottery.

Also, Scoot seems to be coming around and there is no reason he doesn't still have star potential.

Zion is an expensive player who has played less than half the games in his career and brings zero professionalism, leadership or intangibles.

Hard pass.

Also disagree about Scoot, though he is trending toward average which is a huge improvement for him.

You don't think Scoot has any chance at ever becoming a star?

I'd go 15-21 but I think someone around the league would gamble higher and give late lottery value.

ReggiesKnicks wrote:

JRoy wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:
Zion is much more of a star than any player picked in the mid-late lottery.

Also, Scoot seems to be coming around and there is no reason he doesn't still have star potential.

Zion is an expensive player who has played less than half the games in his career and brings zero professionalism, leadership or intangibles.

Hard pass.

Also disagree about Scoot, though he is trending toward average which is a huge improvement for him.

You don't think Scoot has any chance at ever becoming a star?

I am pessimistic by nature. I don’t think Scoot has star potential.

More like Mookie Blaylock without the d.

I would trade anything outside of the top 3 Flagg/Harper/Bailey for Zion. Those are the only 3 players in this class I see with star potential.

I'm a Charlotte fan so I'm only speaking from our perspective. Zion would bring more value than a Edgecombe or Jaku. We need to make a splash if it ain't those top 3 then we need to swing for Zion.

yeah whichever pick Charlotte gets unless it's top 3 I would trade for Zion. Ball/Miller/Bridges/Zion is a very intriguing mix of players.

Interesting that many are drawing the line at 3. All I've seen from draft niks, there's a gap after Flagg and Harper, with Bailey and Edgecombe close in the next tier.

YayBasketball wrote:Interesting that many are drawing the line at 3. All I've seen from draft niks, there's a gap after Flagg and Harper, with Bailey and Edgecombe close in the next tier.

i specifically chose the cutoffs in the poll the way I did thinking VJ at #4 was closer to Bailey than 5 and below. i could be way off on that, but just the way i saw it

YayBasketball wrote:Interesting that many are drawing the line at 3. All I've seen from draft niks, there's a gap after Flagg and Harper, with Bailey and Edgecombe close in the next tier.

Think that's actually where the cutoff lies, but more so about preference between Ace and Harper. If you missed on your preferred guy, then #3 would be fair imo. That likely hinges on knowing you get a healthy Zion though.

All top 5 picks in this draft are off limits, for Zion.

Other players around the league, im sure teams would go for(save for that #1 pick. Flagg looks promising), but not Zion. Not in this draft.

zeebneeb wrote:All top 5 picks in this draft are off limits, for Zion.

Other players around the league, im sure teams would go for(save for that #1 pick. Flagg looks promising), but not Zion. Not in this draft.

I def get it with the injury history vs. getting a fresh rookie scale potential player. But assuming Flagg/Harper/Bailey/Edgecombe are the first 4 (as of now)-- are teams holding tight to a Jakucionous/ Tre Johnson/ Maluach/ Murray-Boyles as super valuable?