Ball for Zion?

I_Love_This_Game!! · Post #1 » by **I_Love_This_Game!!** » Tue Feb 13, 2024 6:09 pm

Would the Hornets and Pelicans both benefit from a trade of their oft-injured cornerstones in the off season?

Simple trade: LaMelo for Zion with whatever draft compensation you feel is necessary. They could also add G. Williams from CHA and a wing from NOP to fill needs the two clubs will have after the trade goes through.

Why this swap make sense for the Hornets: Charlotte is going through an ownership and management transition. Starting over with Zion, who is from North Carolina, would be a great start to the new regime. Yes, he has been out of shape and injured, but perhaps playing in the state he grew up and played college ball in would light a fire under him. As far as losing Ball, they just acquired two point guards in Micic and Mann. Neither is as good (obviously), but they could get the job done with the ball going through Miller and Zion. They will also have a high draft pick this summer, which they could use to draft or trade for a solid, starting wing. Their new lineup:

PG...Mann...Micic
SG...Miller...FA or draft
SF...FA or Draft / Bridges...Martin
PF...Zion...Williams
C...Williams...Richards

Why this swap make sense for the Pelicans: With most of their team healthy this year, New Orleans is hovering above .500. Part of the problem is that Zion does not look the same as he did when he began his career with the team. One has to question if he is happy there. If they want to compete for a championship, their current team doesn't appear to have that high of a ceiling. By acquiring Ball, they acquire a big guard who would compliment CJ in the backcourt. Their new big three would be Ball, CJ and Ingram. They could then resign Valanciunas on a team friendly deal (he is a decent center, just not a great fit with Zion) and package some of their picks / young players for a starting PF. Their new lineup:

PG...Ball...Alvarado
SG...McCollum...Daniels...Hawkins
SF...Ingram...Jones...Murphy III
PF...FA or trade...Nance Jr.
C...Valanciunas...FA or draft

Thoughts?

Knickfan1982 · Post #2 » by **Knickfan1982** » Tue Feb 13, 2024 6:47 pm

I_Love_This_Game!! wrote:Would the Hornets and Pelicans both benefit from a trade of their oft-injured cornerstones in the off season?

Simple trade: LaMelo for Zion with whatever draft compensation you feel is necessary. They could also add G. Williams from CHA and a wing from NOP to fill needs the two clubs will have after the trade goes through.

Why this swap make sense for the Hornets: Charlotte is going through an ownership and management transition. Starting over with Zion, who is from North Carolina, would be a great start to the new regime. Yes, he has been out of shape and injured, but perhaps playing in the state he grew up and played college ball in would light a fire under him. As far as losing Ball, they just acquired two point guards in Micic and Mann. Neither is as good (obviously), but they could get the job done with the ball going through Miller and Zion. They will also have a high draft pick this summer, which they could use to draft or trade for a solid, starting wing. Their new lineup:

PG...Mann...Micic
SG...Miller...FA or draft
SF...FA or Draft / Bridges...Martin
PF...Zion...Williams
C...Williams...Richards

Why this swap make sense for the Pelicans: With most of their team healthy this year, New Orleans is hovering above .500. Part of the problem is that Zion does not look the same as he did when he began his career with the team. One has to question if he is happy there. If they want to compete for a championship, their current team doesn't appear to have that high of a ceiling. By acquiring Ball, they acquire a big guard who would compliment CJ in the backcourt. Their new big three would be Ball, CJ and Ingram. They could then resign Valanciunas on a team friendly deal (he is a decent center, just not a great fit with Zion) and package some of their picks / young players for a starting PF. Their new lineup:

PG...Ball...Alvarado
SG...McCollum...Daniels...Hawkins
SF...Ingram...Jones...Murphy III
PF...FA or trade...Nance Jr.
C...Valanciunas...FA or draft

Thoughts?

You would have to send some serious pick considerations for the Hornets to even consider this. I'm talking cost prohibitive pick compensation.

Zion has all the potential in the world but when you factor in his injury history and lack of discipline he's a huge risk. If it were possible for a superstar to be considered a buy low candidate Zion would be that guy. Hell, even with the natural talent discrepency heavily weighing in favor of Zion I would hesitate to choose him over Randle straight up. Availability is an ability all its on and generally speaking only one of those two guys has that ability.

I_Love_This_Game!! · Post #3 » by **I_Love_This_Game!!** » Tue Feb 13, 2024 6:56 pm

Availability is an ability all its on and generally speaking only one of those two guys has that ability.

LaMelo has not exactly been the picture of health his first few years in the league either. Just sayin'.

Knickfan1982 · Post #4 » by **Knickfan1982** » Tue Feb 13, 2024 6:59 pm

I_Love_This_Game!! wrote:
Availability is an ability all its on and generally speaking only one of those two guys has that ability.

LaMelo has not exactly been the picture of health his first few years in the league either. Just sayin'.

True but the difference is that Zion's injury problems could possibly be mitigated by a willingness to watch his weight and he's shown absolutely zero interest in doing that.

Mrakar · Post #5 » by **Mrakar** » Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:24 pm

Knickfan1982 wrote:
I_Love_This_Game!! wrote:
Availability is an ability all its on and generally speaking only one of those two guys has that ability.

LaMelo has not exactly been the picture of health his first few years in the league either. Just sayin'.

True but the difference is that Zion's injury problems could possibly be mitigated by a willingness to watch his weight and he's shown absolutely zero interest in doing that.

Lets not pretend like Melo has done anything to prove he is more willing to become a NBA superstar then Zion.

I think this is a deal where both teams are in "He is more worth to us then to you" mode and there is a slim chance of deal happening.

Post #6 » by **gswhoops** » Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:47 pm

Mrakar wrote:
Knickfan1982 wrote:
I_Love_This_Game!! wrote:
LaMelo has not exactly been the picture of health his first few years in the league either. Just sayin'.

True but the difference is that Zion's injury problems could possibly be mitigated by a willingness to watch his weight and he's shown absolutely zero interest in doing that.

Lets not pretend like Melo has done anything to prove he is more willing to become a NBA superstar then Zion.

I think this is a deal where both teams are in "He is more worth to us then to you" mode and there is a slim chance of deal happening.

What does this even mean?

Zion's weight issues, and his unwillingness to do anything about them, are pretty well documented. I don't see anything remotely equivalent for LaMelo.

HornetJail · Post #7 » by **HornetJail** » Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:49 pm

As much as I'd love to get Zion... Nah I'm good

louc1970 · Post #8 » by **louc1970** » Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:55 pm

I am certainly of the mindset a team is either a championship contender or should be making moves to get there.
With that in mind, Charlotte moves Ball for Suggs, Isaacs, Black and FRPs in 24, 25, and 26 from the Magic.
Hornets defense becomes outstanding, a lot of size, and as good as Ball is, is he going to lead them deep in the playoffs?

Wolveswin · Post #9 » by **Wolveswin** » Tue Feb 13, 2024 8:04 pm

Personally, I think Pels would be better off doing Ingram (to 3rd team) + Daniels for Ball. Add picks as needed.

JVal
Zion
Murphy | Herb
McCollum
Ball

Maybe 3rd team is Memphis? Get Hornets a top 6 pick to go with own top 3 pick.

esvl · Post #10 » by **esvl** » Tue Feb 13, 2024 8:40 pm

I doubt they are the same tier players

axeman23 · Post #11 » by **axeman23** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:19 am

When I saw the title, I was honestly unsure which Ball we were talking about, Lamelo or Lonzo. Obviously Lonzo would require significant value coming with him, and a SERIOUS hope he could come back somewhat as his old self. But I also don't see a Zion/Lamelo swap without significant value headed OUT from the Pelicans. Also, I wouldn't give up Lamelo for the Ingram/Daniels package, just not enough upside there for Charlotte, in my opinion. Probably just ends up as "both sides say no"...

BoogieTime · Post #12 » by **BoogieTime** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:40 am

esvl wrote:I doubt they are the same tier players

I think they are

Not a believer in Zion’s mental or physical approach, but I see Melo as kind of gimmicky and not on track to become a serious franchise PG

Ell Curry · Post #13 » by **Ell Curry** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:52 am

If Topic is there for Charlotte to draft it's a fun idea.

Topic-Miller-Bridges-Zion-Williams with a bench of Micic, Grant Williams and Nick Richards and just under 25M left in free agency (or via trade) to grab a backup wing. Monk would be ideal, but probably Gary Trent is more realistic.

I think I like it less for New Orleans. Zion is the more impactful player and I'm not sure the Pels can count on turning their extra firsts into a real difference maker at center they would need. If Ingram says he'll sign an extension if this deal gets done I like it more. That opens up some possibilities like trading multiple firsts for a center or moving Hawkins or Trey Murphy even with the added perimeter depth. There's not a lot of quality bigs you could see getting moved though.

Maybe I'm too down on LaMelo, but I think New Orleans is the team that passes if the deal is straight up. Feels like it would be easier to just keep the same team, move Ingram for a guard or center if he won't sign an extension or just more draft picks. Zion is only 23, everyone else who matters there apart from JV and McCollum are young and Zion-Jones-Murphy is a good forward group, Hawkins and Daniels are decent young guards. You can always trade for say DeJounte Murray via Ingram to the Hawks or a 3rd team and the return to Atlanta and maybe grab a center, even burn a first to get Hartenstein on a sign and trade for instance.

MKWB · Post #14 » by **MKWB** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:09 am

BoogieTime wrote:
esvl wrote:I doubt they are the same tier players

I think they are

Not a believer in Zion’s mental or physical approach, but I see Melo as kind of gimmicky and not on track to become a serious franchise PG

This is what I think of when I see or hear this player talk. Maybe it's because of how he was raised in the spotlight, but he seems goofy and not about the right things. I'd be open to trading Zion for a lot of players / deals. Wouldn't be enthused about LaMelo on my team I watch. And more importantly, David Griffin is all about "high character, professionalism, human-ness." So I doubt he has Ball on his target list. Yes, Zion also has some concerns like that, but it's almost inherited from a player that's already on the team (and didn't show character/proffessionalism concerns before he was drafted), not traded for like this Ball trade would be.

BlackThought · Post #15 » by **BlackThought** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:59 am

Why do you hate Pelican fans? Finally gets rid of an injury prone player and get a even more injury prone one in return. How about they get someone that plays at least 50 games a year?

Post #16 » by **JDR720** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:45 am

LaMelo (when he plays of course) has been steadily improving. Whereas Zion has stagnated if not regressed.

And I think it's more likely LaMelo's ankles get better than Zion taking his weight seriously. For his flash, Melo does take being a basketball player seriously.

KembaWalker · Post #17 » by **KembaWalker** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:57 am

Stale old boomers on realgm that think fashion is more a sign of lack of professionalism than literally being 75lbs overweight for 3 years straight for pro athletes. Society moved past this 20 years ago, after tattoos and dreads :lol:

Wolveswin · Post #18 » by **Wolveswin** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 12:58 pm

Ell Curry wrote: You can always trade for say DeJounte Murray via Ingram to the Hawks or a 3rd team and the return to Atlanta and maybe grab a center, even burn a first to get Hartenstein on a sign and trade for instance.

I thought Ingram (3rd team?) + JVal for Murray + Capela was obvious trade at deadline. Value to taste and both teams win trade.

ADMVP · Post #19 » by **ADMVP** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 4:00 pm

I tend to say no to almost every trade but I don't like the idea of trading straight up (to suggest we add value is crazy). If we trade Zion, I'd rather it be for a disgruntled perennial all-star vet. If we're trading for someone like Melo, I'd rather offer up Hawkins/Murphy, JV/Nance and a couple of picks. I'm more than content rocking with Zion for another 5 years, he has a higher ceiling than Melo.

Mrakar · Post #20 » by **Mrakar** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:01 pm

JDR720 wrote:LaMelo (when he plays of course) has been steadily improving. Whereas Zion has stagnated if not regressed.

And I think it's more likely LaMelo's ankles get better than Zion taking his weight seriously. For his flash, Melo does take being a basketball player seriously.

Lamelo's FG% has been stagnating, 3pt% is worse, he has more turnovers. Yes he has more points, but at what cost, he is bellow league average in efficiency by quite a margin.