patryk7754 wrote:Since it seems like no one wants to trade for Lavine or Vucevic even tho they are playing at all star levels and tanking won’t be an option - we might as well say **** it and trade for some players who would at least be exciting to watch and at best play and take us to the playoffs. I would not give up more than one 1st round pick total in this scenario, thought.
It can basically be a three team trade.
Pelicans get: White, Williams, 1st (preferably protected)and a bunch of second rounders
Nets get: Lonzo, Giddey, Carter Duarte and a 2nd
Bulls get: Cam Thomas, Ben Simmons, And Zion.
Nets do it becuase they get decent talent in return and can off load Simmons (also saw a couple of videos suggesting the Thomas might be the next player the nets trade). Pelicans do it because they’re tired of Zion always being “hurt”. Again. Probably undervaluing them but it’s worth seeing what it would take to get them. More so Zion. If it’s two or three of our role players and a 1st. It’s 100% worth the risk. And yes I understand we are having a “youth movement” but our youth is horrible and the plan should be abandoned immediately
NGL, I hated this trade idea when I first saw it. We'd need SO many things to go right to win this. Giving up Williams, Giddey, White and multiple picks, if Zion is not healthy we're dead. Even if he is you need Giddey, Williams and White plus picks to not be worth more in the long run. Need Lonzo to not be a value contract next year, which I think he will be for us. Simmons is getting min, at best, but I'd rather take the chance on Ball. Need Cam Thomas to re-sign at a reasonable price.
But a lineup of Ayo, Lavine, Simmons, Zion, Vuc with Thomas, Matas, Smith, Terry, Phillips could be VERY intriguing. Defense would shoot up, and I think Ayo could add a few points to his scoring average efficiently with more minutes. Zion, Vuc, Lavine gives you more than enough scoring, but our three point shooting drops. Cam Thomas will make up for some of that, and Ayo would have to get his shot back. We might lose our draft pick this summer with that team. Would give Matas PLENTY of SF minutes, might even start him to keep the floor spaced. Can still look for trades for Zach and Vuc this summer if they're still here.
If Zion's not healthy, we gave up a ton of youth and picks and we're stuck with another huge albatross contract. Giddey's probably the big sticking point for me, I'm more bullish on Giddey improving than Zion regularly playing 60 gms or more/season.