Zion to the Pistons

NYG · Post #1 » by **NYG** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 2:54 am

C.J. McCollum and Zion Williamson for Isaiah Stewart, Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr., 2029 Unprotected Detroit Pistons First Round Draft Pick and 2031 Unprotected Detroit Pistons First Round Draft Pick

Why for the Pelicans: They save a ton of money both up front and long-term while landing what could be 2 splashy unprotected picks deep into the future. This would be phase 1 of a total teardown, but I think with the risk/reward of Zion, 2 firsts still feels about right especially when you add in C.J. McCollum.

Why for the Pistons: The Pistons go all in on the young core and get their PF of the future in Zion. When healthy, if you could build around Cade/Zion properly, the Pistons would have a ceiling the franchise hasn't had in a while. McCollum would also fill a nice role on and off the court for a young Pistons squad.

zeebneeb · Post #2 » by **zeebneeb** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 3:01 am

1 unprotected first round pick, for the biggest health risk in the league is terrifying. 2 is insanity.

Just can't do it.

Kalamazoo317 · Post #3 » by **Kalamazoo317** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 3:01 am

Not interested in paying 2 unprotected firsts for Zion. Not sure I'd do it without the picks. We've got great team chemistry going and you have us sending out our top three culture guys, not to mention two important floor spacers and our best rim protector. What Zion offers is too much of a mystery box to give up this much concrete value for.

NYG · Post #4 » by **NYG** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 3:03 am

If it was only one first... does that make it more of a "hurts to do it, but you'd have to" kind of deal? Or is Detroit still out?

Kalamazoo317 · Post #5 » by **Kalamazoo317** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 3:12 am

I think Fontecchio, THJ, and 1 lottery protected first is about the most I'd consider

JRoy · Post #6 » by **JRoy** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 3:33 am

No one is giving 2 Unprotected FRP for the privilege of watching ZW smash corndogs on their bench.

chrbal · Post #7 » by **chrbal** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 3:57 am

I’m sorry, didn’t the Pistons fire Troy Weaver?

LaSheed · Post #8 » by **LaSheed** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 4:14 am

JRoy wrote:No one is giving 2 Unprotected FRP for the privilege of watching ZW smash corndogs on their bench.

Lol awesome.

Post #9 » by **theBigLip** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 5:54 am

Tempting. A healthy and motivated Zion w CJ would make the Pistons legit this year and next. If it didn’t work out, I think Zions contract is not guaranteed.

With that said, I wouldn’t give up two unprotected FRPs to do it.

tmorgan · Post #10 » by **tmorgan** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:12 am

When the (relative) success of your team clearly hinges on just one dude, trading distant unprotected firsts is just plain stupid. Cade could leave, Cade could get hurt, then we’d be complete dogisht.

YayBasketball · Post #11 » by **YayBasketball** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 8:11 am

Don't see this type of deal with the Pistons' pick situation. Maybe if there was a way to free up the Pistons closer 1sts by roping in the Wolves in to give up the Pistons 2025 1st, or to change the protections on it, then build some kind of package of 2025, 26 swap, 27.

But the main reason I don't see Pistons interested in Zion is Langdon. He knows the Z injury and professionalism issues more than any other GM, and probably wants no part of that ride again with his new team.