Create a fair trade sceanrio for the Pelicans ...

[louc1970]

where they decide to trade Williamson for a return of a center.

Since Ingram is not presently returning a needed player, what happens is NOP pivots and moves the other oft-injured star?
It requires NOP to role the dice and go with Jones/Murphy.

Thinking:
Detroit trades Hardaway (available end of Aug)/Holland/Duren/Sasser/27 FRP/29 FRP/31 FRP
NOP trades Williamson/Missi

Duren would be the center NOP needs. Hardaway cut, Sasser a backup to Murray, Holland and the 3 picks are futures.
Detroit gets a star when healthy to pair with Cunningham. Missi is a project that can grow.

[Billl]

The pistons are in no position to be going all in on a trade for a star. Especially a star with a major injury history.

[louc1970]

The pistons are in no position to be going all in on a trade for a star. Especially a star with a major injury history.

I agree with that. Just thinking of an example.

[Skybox]

If Missi gets to play...he might be better than Duren by the end of the season. Duren is a nice prospect but still hasn't shown the defensive instincts (or willingness) that Missi appears to already have.

I'd be looking at Wendell Carter from ORL for a different type of Center, that could even play alongside Missi (if he develops) to provide all different kinds of looks - WITH Zion still in-house.

Alternatively, ORL gets all of their offense from their two forwards, so maybe Missi is the type of C they could go with...

ORL sends: Wendell Carter, Cole Anthony, Gary Harris (eligible 12/15)
NOLA sends: CJ McCollum, Yves Missi

*With Murray on-board, CJ really isn't needed and Cole Anthony can do much of what would be asked of CJ (next to Murray). Harris is a solid vet 2-way guard that can give quality minutes and all 3 incoming have good contracts, offering financial flexibilty. WCJ is a beautiful match next to Zion as he can spread the floor, switch on defense, finish PnR...basically good at everything, elite at none.

*ORL leans on Bitadze or Mo Wagner as starters at C, while hoping Missi becomes their Claxton-type. CJ offers an explosive upgrade in the backcourt...not starting, but getting 25+ mpg and often the best player on the court or at least the highest scorer and 6moy candidate if he stays healthy. ORL leans heavily on their two playmaking young forwards and 3&D all over the lineup, but CJ gives them a true "go-to" scorer as well as a veteran leader and game manager when their unconventional offensive balance stalls. Losing young versatile Wendell Carter hurts, but his offensive talent and versatility is (I think) compromised on ORL. I think he's got more in his offensive bag that he could show on a better fitting frontcourt. CJ's contract is a bit of a turnoff, but ORL is financially sound and spent much of it's summer cap-space solidifying their books.

[JRoy]

Why would DET mortgage their future for a one way guy that plays 30 games a year?

[jbk1234]

This really should've been done earlier this off season before the Knicks and Sixers made their moves. I'd call the Nets on Claxton +.

[BK_2020]

Pelicans are not trading a franchise player for a roleplayer big.

[theBigLip]

Everyone hates it, so it must be fair value

3FRPs plus Holland plus Duren is sort of like 5 FRPs. That’s a bit much. Knock that down to 3 of those 5 assets and it seems like a deal Pistons could consider.

[wemby]

Everyone hates it, so it must be fair value

3FRPs plus Holland plus Duren is sort of like 5 FRPs. That’s a bit much. Knock that down to 3 of those 5 assets and it seems like a deal Pistons could consider.

Missi is also a FRP (recent), so it's more like 4 and none of those guaranteed to be good ones. But Zion guarantees nothing on his own, so... honestly, value isn't unfair I suppose but I don't love it for either team, if I'm the Pistons I want soomeone I can count on, and if I'm the Pelicans I'd rather get less assets but better ones.

[BK_2020]

3FRPs plus Holland plus Duren is sort of like 5 FRPs.

It isn't at all. FRPs are fungible liquid assets that don't take up roster spot or salary cap.

[babyjax13]

Zion for Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert?

[jbk1234]

Zion for Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert?

Allen's not eligible to be traded until the deadline, and it seems likely that Zion will either have stayed healthy and played well, or gotten injured again and missed a bunch of games. Again, it's pretty late in the offseason to try to pivot like this and an in-season Zion trade for two win-now teams seems unlikely.

[drosestruts]

If the premise is New Orleans is trading Zion for a center (which I don't think they'd do) - two potential trades pop to mind.

Trade 1 w/ Blazers:

New Orleans in: Donovan Clingan and Jerami Grant

Portland in: Zion Willamson

Pelicans add a giant rookie center who could be a potential future DPOY type big, and they also replace Zion's forward spot with Grant.

Blazers get an actual star player to build around.


Trade 2 w/ Nets

New Orleans in: Nic Claxton, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney Smith, and Dariq Whitehead

Brooklyn in: Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum

Pelicans get a young center locked in long-term, another 3-point shooting wing locked in long term in Johnson, and even more wings in DFS and Whitehead

Nets roster would not really have a starting center but hey - I think it continues their potential tank season, except now they have 2025 cap space, a high draft pick, and Zion to work with.

[toooskies]

Zion for Gobert?

[theBigLip]

3FRPs plus Holland plus Duren is sort of like 5 FRPs.

It isn't at all. FRPs are fungible liquid assets that don't take up roster spot or salary cap.

Pistons got cap spaceso for them it is basically the same. I get the point you're trying to make though.

[JRoy]

If the premise is New Orleans is trading Zion for a center (which I don't think they'd do) - two potential trades pop to mind.

Trade 1 w/ Blazers:

New Orleans in: Donovan Clingan and Jerami Grant

Portland in: Zion Willamson

Pelicans add a giant rookie center who could be a potential future DPOY type big, and they also replace Zion's forward spot with Grant.

Blazers get an actual star player to build around.


Trade 2 w/ Nets

New Orleans in: Nic Claxton, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney Smith, and Dariq Whitehead

Brooklyn in: Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum

Pelicans get a young center locked in long-term, another 3-point shooting wing locked in long term in Johnson, and even more wings in DFS and Whitehead

Nets roster would not really have a starting center but hey - I think it continues their potential tank season, except now they have 2025 cap space, a high draft pick, and Zion to work with.

I don’t know if there are words to express how much I hate this idea without profanity.

I will just say POR politely declines.

[LarsV8]

Steven Adams, Jalen Green, JeSean Tate, Phoenix 27 and 29 #1 unprotected

[winforlose]

Zion for Gobert?

No thanks.

[brackdan70]

Zion for Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert?

I was just about to suggest that. It seems to make sense for both teams. I think maybe Cleveland has to add a pick? Maybe not Zion is a difficult guy to value due to injury risk, but when he is healthy he is a game changer.

[brackdan70]

Zion for Gobert?

No thanks.

Who says “no thanks”