Zion - Lavine - MPJ

[cgf]

CHI: Zion WIlliamson + Zeke Nnaji + Julian Strawther
DEN: Zach Lavine + Jalen Smith + Torrey Craig
NOLA: Michael Porter + Dario Saric + DeAndre Jordan

- Bulls gamble on the kind of talent ownership won't let them tank for, to go with their stretch 5 and good young guards.
- Nuggets stagger Murray & Lavine's minutes so one of them is on the court at all times, hoping the offense goes nuclear and Lavine's work ethic + enthusiasm about finally being on a good team rubs off on their core.
- Pelicans turn the page on Zion and get another big wing to replace Ingram whenever he leaves...be that via trade or FA.

CHI
White - Dosunmu - Williams - Williamson - Vucevic
Lonzo - Giddey/Duarte - Terry - Buzelis - Nnaji

DEN
Murray - Lavine - Braun - Gordon - Jokic
Westbrook - Watson - Craig - Smith

NOLA
Murray - Jones - Ingram - Porter - Missi
McCollum - Hawkins - Murphy - Theis

[Texas Chuck]

I'm going to just keep saying it--Zion's contract means you don't just have to give him away. I can't see New Orleans settling for an offer like this. MPJ doesn't move their needle at all. And he's on a max deal. Give me something to potentially build off of and I'd entertain it. But this does nothing for them. Better to keep Zion.

Chicago obviously jumps at this because they have nothing to lose but maybe he gets healthy and they have a superstar for a player they've been trying for 2 years to literally just give away.

Denver should do this obviously.

[Mrakar]

So Pels take on MPJ while having Murphy, Hawkins and Herb? And Bulls get rid of worse contract and get Zion in the process?
Too god for the Bulls, they owe couple picks here even if you are low on Zion.

[ecuhus1981]

Yeah, hard agree with TC on this one.

I don't think Zion is moved for a different forward, part of NOP's issue is that they have a glut of good 3/4's. I'm not sure there is a workable solution here.

[ChettheJet]

The Bulls don't jump at this because if their goal is still to trade Vucevic they have to get 2 centers in return for him. Not very likely.

I don't see the Bulls wanting to swap Zion's not guaranteed just as long nearly as large contract for Lavine's. They just commit to a worse gamble. Zach isn't a perfect all around player but he shows up and puts in the effort. Zion besides the injury history, he's got the weight issues, he's got undeniable commitment issues.

When the Bulls move Lavine it should put them in a better direction not just a similar path on the same road

[Jon1798]

Zion for MPJ? Come on now.

[One_and_Done]

Why is Nola doing this?