What if Zion Williamson...

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

It's not unheard of for a soon to be drafted player to decline to go to a team.

Spoiler:

I do wonder, if Zion refused to go to New Orleans:

• Would we pkg Collins, Taurean, #8 and #10 to get him?
  
• Would that even be enough?
  
• Would all that even be worth it?

Y'all got to stop this nonsense! In fact he wanted to go to New York not Atlanta. So I don't know where y'all are getting these notions that Zion was eyeing Atlanta. But he isn't coming so get over it expect twice a year as a member of the Pelicans.

You’re speculating he wanted to go NY just like we’re speculating he wanted to come ATL. We don’t know where he’s going yet.

While we can speculate about whether his double tapping the Atlanta logo was a sign of where he wanted to go or just make stuff up about where he wanted to go, we can reliably say where he is going. He will be in New Orleans next season unless someone comes up with a godfather trade offer (which is very unlikely).

[EazyRoc]

That double tap let’s me know he wants to come here. Maybe we can trade a pick for an unprotected lottery pick...

It's not unheard of for a soon to be drafted player to decline to go to a team.

Spoiler:

I do wonder, if Zion refused to go to New Orleans:

• Would we pkg Collins, Taurean, #8 and #10 to get him?
  
• Would that even be enough?
  
• Would all that even be worth it?

I wish we would. I don’t think it’d be enough though.

It would make it worth it. 2 young stars could attract a top level wing like Jimmy Butler.

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

That double tap let’s me know he wants to come here. Maybe we can trade a pick for an unprotected lottery pick...

It's not unheard of for a soon to be drafted player to decline to go to a team.

Spoiler:

I do wonder, if Zion refused to go to New Orleans:

• Would we pkg Collins, Taurean, #8 and #10 to get him?
  
• Would that even be enough?
  
• Would all that even be worth it?

I wish we would. I don’t think it’d be enough though.

It would make it worth it. 2 young stars could attract a top level wing like Jimmy Butler.

FWIW, I agree it wouldn't be enough to get him. Collins is by far the most valuable piece of that package.

[Jamaaliver]

Y'all got to stop this nonsense! In fact he wanted to go to New York not Atlanta. So I don't know where y'all are getting these notions that Zion was eyeing Atlanta. But he isn't coming so get over it expect twice a year as a member of the Pelicans.

[macd-gm]

I'll be disappointed if he tries to get out of going to NO. It's that mentality that keeps NY, LA constant free agent winners. It's not like the lakers or knicks are any better managed than NO. Big market is part of it but it's more about 'worship' of these franchises. They both suck and have sucked for years.

[jayu70]

I'll be disappointed if he tries to get out of going to NO. It's that mentality that keeps NY, LA constant free agent winners. It's not like the lakers or knicks are any better managed than NO. Big market is part of it but it's more about 'worship' of these franchises. They both suck and have sucked for years.

Are they though??? LBJ doesn't count.
I agree regarding the management of both LAL and NYK.

[Atlantaholic]

I'll be disappointed if he tries to get out of going to NO. It's that mentality that keeps NY, LA constant free agent winners. It's not like the lakers or knicks are any better managed than NO. Big market is part of it but it's more about 'worship' of these franchises. They both suck and have sucked for years.

When has New York been a "free agent" winner? I literally can't remember the last free agent move they made that made them any better. Sprewell in 2000 maybe?

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

I'll be disappointed if he tries to get out of going to NO.

If he tries to get out of going to them and tries to get out of ending up in NY, LA, etc. because he doesn't want to be somewhere with an abysmal front office track record that makes perfect sense to me.

I will be shocked if that happens though. Doesn't seem his style at all.

[atlantabbq99]

Hawks can offer 8, 10, and Collins.

or Hawks can trade 8 for 2 and Chandler Parsons, then Zion can pull a Doncic (like what happen with the Kings) and tell the Pelicans not to take him.

[D21]

Now that we didn't get the 1st pick and Williamson, can we benefit from the situation and get Randle ?
If NOP is looking to trade Davis and get picks with younger players, maybe they could be interested by the 8th or 10th pick

The problem is the contract situation of Randle, with a player option he would need to take first, but as it's only 9M, he will certainly decline this option

[EazyRoc]

Now that we didn't get the 1st pick and Williamson, can we benefit from the situation and get Randle ?
If NOP is looking to trade Davis and get picks with younger players, maybe they could be interested by the 8th or 10th pick

The problem is the contract situation of Randle, with a player option he would need to take first, but as it's only 9M, he will certainly decline this option

If we can get Randle for #10 OR Taurean Prince/Late 1st(we get that by packaging our 2nds), then that’s big time. Randle fits the PDS mold and will look even better with a PG like Trae.

[jayu70]

Now that we didn't get the 1st pick and Williamson, can we benefit from the situation and get Randle ?
If NOP is looking to trade Davis and get picks with younger players, maybe they could be interested by the 8th or 10th pick

The problem is the contract situation of Randle, with a player option he would need to take first, but as it's only 9M, he will certainly decline this option

If we can get Randle for #10 OR Taurean Prince/Late 1st(we get that by packaging our 2nds), then that’s big time. Randle fits the PDS mold and will look even better with a PG like Trae.

1. Julius Randle will more likely than not decline his option so he'll be a FA.
2. No interest in trading a top #10 pick for Julius Randle to come off the bench behind Collins, Randle doesn't have that kind of trade value.

[kg01]

Now that we didn't get the 1st pick and Williamson, can we benefit from the situation and get Randle ?
If NOP is looking to trade Davis and get picks with younger players, maybe they could be interested by the 8th or 10th pick

The problem is the contract situation of Randle, with a player option he would need to take first, but as it's only 9M, he will certainly decline this option

If we can get Randle for #10 OR Taurean Prince/Late 1st(we get that by packaging our 2nds), then that’s big time. Randle fits the PDS mold and will look even better with a PG like Trae.

1. Julius Randle will more likely than not decline his option so he'll be a FA.
2. No interest in trading a top #10 pick for Julius Randle to come off the bench behind Collins, Randle doesn't have that kind of trade value.

Yeah I'm not interested in Randle. If people were concerned with Zion's fit with Collins, not sure why there's no concern with the Randle/Collins fit. They're basically the same player to a degree.

He's certainly not worth a top 10 pick+.

[jayu70]

From Zion's Stepfather:

There has been speculation that Williamson might consider returning to Duke for his sophomore season rather than play for the Pelicans. Williamson has yet to hire an agent and could theoretically return to Duke.

"As far as returning to Duke, that's not something we have even considered," said Lee Anderson.

"We met with David Griffin and had a great conversation and are excited at the prospect of getting settled and finding a place to stay."

This whole hullaboolah is a BSPN narrative. They so wanted him in NYK or LAL.

Zion should approach his stay in NOP as 'he'll do what AD couldn't." Between AD and Jrue, there were a ton missed games.
Yes previous management was a cluster, i think they rushed their rebuild. Owner only cared about the Saints - they get a do - over with Zion.

[EazyRoc]

Now that we didn't get the 1st pick and Williamson, can we benefit from the situation and get Randle ?
If NOP is looking to trade Davis and get picks with younger players, maybe they could be interested by the 8th or 10th pick

The problem is the contract situation of Randle, with a player option he would need to take first, but as it's only 9M, he will certainly decline this option

If we can get Randle for #10 OR Taurean Prince/Late 1st(we get that by packaging our 2nds), then that’s big time. Randle fits the PDS mold and will look even better with a PG like Trae.

1. Julius Randle will more likely than not decline his option so he'll be a FA.
2. No interest in trading a top #10 pick for Julius Randle to come off the bench behind Collins, Randle doesn't have that kind of trade value.

Come off the bench He could challenge for the starting spot ?

Randle is a 21/8/3 big man just now entering his prime. He’s got most of the same strengths and weaknesses as JC. He’s better with the ball though and has shown that he’s a better passer. He’s got a ton of value. We would be getting over if we got a near All Star level big for a 10th pick. Even if we don’t keep him..we could package him with a few more pieces and get something better.

[jayu70]

If we can get Randle for #10 OR Taurean Prince/Late 1st(we get that by packaging our 2nds), then that’s big time. Randle fits the PDS mold and will look even better with a PG like Trae.

1. Julius Randle will more likely than not decline his option so he'll be a FA.
2. No interest in trading a top #10 pick for Julius Randle to come off the bench behind Collins, Randle doesn't have that kind of trade value.

Come off the bench He could challenge for the starting spot ?

Randle is a 21/8/3 big man just now entering his prime. He’s got most of the same strengths and weaknesses as JC. He’s better with the ball though and has shown that he’s a better passer. He’s got a ton of value. We would be getting over if we got a near All Star level big for a 10th pick. Even if we don’t keep him..we could package him with a few more pieces and get something better.

Disagree.
Nobody is trading a top 10 pick for a guy that 1. Didn't get his rookie option picked up by the team that drafted him, 2. LAL couldn't find a trade for him b4 his option year, 3. Had to settle for a short term FA contract in FAcy a year ago.
You use #10 picks to get guys like Butler and PG. Not guys of Randle's ilk.
Create a poll on the Trade board or here regarding his value.

[EazyRoc]

1. Julius Randle will more likely than not decline his option so he'll be a FA.
2. No interest in trading a top #10 pick for Julius Randle to come off the bench behind Collins, Randle doesn't have that kind of trade value.

Come off the bench He could challenge for the starting spot ?

Randle is a 21/8/3 big man just now entering his prime. He’s got most of the same strengths and weaknesses as JC. He’s better with the ball though and has shown that he’s a better passer. He’s got a ton of value. We would be getting over if we got a near All Star level big for a 10th pick. Even if we don’t keep him..we could package him with a few more pieces and get something better.

Disagree.
Nobody is trading a top 10 pick for a guy that 1. Didn't get his rookie option picked up by the team that drafted him, 2. LAL couldn't find a trade for him b4 his option year, 3. Had to settle for a short term FA contract in FAcy a year ago.
You use #10 picks to get guys like Butler and PG. Not guys of Randle's ilk.
Create a poll on the Trade board or here regarding his value.

You’re not getting Butler or PG for a late lottery. TP/10th pick wouldn’t even get you to the table with OKC.

Randle has improved in NO so his value in LA is not relevant. Teams have been loading up on cap space to be players in this off season. Doesn’t surprise me he didn’t get a big deal. It still doesn’t take away from the fact that he played pretty well this season.

Regarding the poll: I’m not that invested..you can if you want.

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

Butler got traded for #12 pick with several years of rookie wages already burned (Saric); a 2nd rounder made good with a 13 PER and an $11M salary (Covington); and filler.

That is not too far from the 10th pick and filler.

[EazyRoc]

Butler got traded for #12 pick with several years of rookie wages already burned (Saric); a 2nd rounder made good with a 13 PER and an $11M salary (Covington); and filler.

That is not too far from the 10th pick and filler.

For a 1 year rental. That’s a very important factor you’re forgetting or leaving out. If he’s had 2-3 years left on his contract Minny would’ve laughed at the deal.

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

Butler got traded for #12 pick with several years of rookie wages already burned (Saric); a 2nd rounder made good with a 13 PER and an $11M salary (Covington); and filler.

That is not too far from the 10th pick and filler.

For a 1 year rental. That’s a very important factor you’re forgetting or leaving out. If he’s had 2-3 years left on his contract Minny would’ve laughed at the deal.

You'd expect there is a very good chance the next young / prime star to have less than 2 years of contract when they hit the market.

Butler had one year left (on this trade). Harris had one year left (on this trade). Kawhi had one year left. Paul George had one year left. Etc.