NO-DC

[lordjeff05]

Trade is prettt straight forward, Sarr for Missi and the 6th pick (assuming that’s where the pick falls).

Reason for Washington, in the midst of a rebuild they get a good center prospect and a top 6 player in the strong draft to build off of the players they are started to build around.

Reason for Pels, Missi has played pretty well, better than expected given the amount of playing time for a player assumed to be project. But he is a rim running paint protector. Sarr has had ups and downs. He’s not super efficient but he’s a good defender and he shoots a lot of 3s. Fit makes more sense.

Just wanted to get an idea of if this seems completely crazy.

[ReggiesKnicks]

This is brutal for NO. NO can get a prospect just as good (if not better) than Sarr at #6 while keeping Missi.

[lordjeff05]

This is brutal for NO. NO can get a prospect just as good (if not better) than Sarr at #6 while keeping Missi.

So here’s the thing with that. Generally I agree if we are talking about pure uspside and ceiling. There are some really good players in this draft. But as far as fit, there arguably isn’t a player that has come out of the draft that would fit better next to Zion in years (other than Wemby). The rebound numbers are a little lower than I’d like and his frame is a little more slight but that’s it.

Sarr is a rare defender who can both play in space and anchor a defense. And his shot profile works well with a guy like Z who is always trying to get to the basket. He’s young so there’s plenty of time for his game to grow but I see a guy who will be more comfortable operating on the perimeter taking open jumpers or creating off of pick and pops than someone who will be a rim threat.

I think for most teams a rim protecting, rim running big is exactly what they need. It’s easier to build and offense and defense off of that. Missi knows his role, he plays to it as expected and he learns fast. Players like this who are initially considered projects but who produce faster than expected usually go on to have really strong careers. I’m thinking about guys like Ibaka.

The hope would be that the overall value of the package of a good center and good pick. would be attractive enough for DC to pull the trigger.

[9 and 20]

Wiz might do this. Wiz had a center who was similar to Missi in Gafford - a bit older but similar, rim running type, signed to a reasonable deal. They traded him for a late first round pick. The Gafford types are not the rarest out there and seems like you can snag one at a reasonable cost in free agency or trade for one with a late first round pick.

Sarr has some unicorn potential for sure. He's a ways from getting there but he's only 19, nearly 20, so he has time. The main appeal would be two top lottery picks this year. Flagg and Maluach or Bailey and Harper would be fun outcomes. If that kind of outcome is on the table on draft night, maybe they do this.

[BuddyBuckets]

Sarr has been wildly disappointing sans a handful of interesting games. I'm not entirely sure he solves that many problems either. I get he can block shots and stuff but is he a defensive anchor? A play caller from the paint? How long does that take the develop if you aren't just used to doing it as a teen.

There is some merit to the premise but I have such a hard time right now seeing Sarr be anywhere close to JJJ for example. Not even close.

[Skybox]

Maluach, imo, has at least as much upside as Sarr, so I don't like the value at all for NOLA.

[penbeast0]

Maluach, imo, has at least as much upside as Sarr, so I don't like the value at all for NOLA.

But he's another traditional big that stays inside and isn't as mobile as Sarr. His comp is Donovan Clingan rather than the JJJ archtype.

[Skybox]

Maluach, imo, has at least as much upside as Sarr, so I don't like the value at all for NOLA.

But he's another traditional big that stays inside and isn't as mobile as Sarr. His comp is Donovan Clingan rather than the JJJ archtype.

That's okay with me...Maluach can really move his feet and defend on the perimeter. His offense is a question mark, but even if it's just lobs and putbacks on an elite level - I love it. Sarr and Missi are both nice, but haven't shown anything beyond that and Maluach is huge and sturdy. I'd give a lot for him in ORL, where the twin forwards power the offense. Also easier to find offense for your backcourt and anchor your defense with a monster like Maluach (or Missi). I think the whole "Quest for the Unicorn Center" is a bit overplayed and teams make compromises for an occasional 3pt shot from a guy who is now out of position for a rebound. I'd rather have punishing rim-protection and picks along with a handful of extra possessions from offensive rebounds than stretch it out for a small handful of outside shots.

Maybe I'm still sore from my Bamba experience.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Maluach, imo, has at least as much upside as Sarr, so I don't like the value at all for NOLA.

But he's another traditional big that stays inside and isn't as mobile as Sarr. His comp is Donovan Clingan rather than the JJJ archtype.

Malauch is much more mobile than Clingan and has much better hands.

[penbeast0]

Maluach, imo, has at least as much upside as Sarr, so I don't like the value at all for NOLA.

But he's another traditional big that stays inside and isn't as mobile as Sarr. His comp is Donovan Clingan rather than the JJJ archtype.

That's okay with me...Maluach can really move his feet and defend on the perimeter. His offense is a question mark, but even if it's just lobs and putbacks on an elite level - I love it. Sarr and Missi are both nice, but haven't shown anything beyond that and Maluach is huge and sturdy. I'd give a lot for him in ORL, where the twin forwards power the offense. Also easier to find offense for your backcourt and anchor your defense with a monster like Maluach (or Missi). I think the whole "Quest for the Unicorn Center" is a bit overplayed and teams make compromises for an occasional 3pt shot from a guy who is now out of position for a rebound. I'd rather have punishing rim-protection and picks along with a handful of extra possessions from offensive rebounds than stretch it out for a small handful of outside shots.

Maybe I'm still sore from my Bamba experience.

I'm a trad center fan too having grown up with Wilt and Kareem but for some modern offenses, they are built around getting a center who can spread the floor so that someone else (in the OP's case Zion) can work inside while still having 4 out around him.

[Skybox]

But he's another traditional big that stays inside and isn't as mobile as Sarr. His comp is Donovan Clingan rather than the JJJ archtype.

That's okay with me...Maluach can really move his feet and defend on the perimeter. His offense is a question mark, but even if it's just lobs and putbacks on an elite level - I love it. Sarr and Missi are both nice, but haven't shown anything beyond that and Maluach is huge and sturdy. I'd give a lot for him in ORL, where the twin forwards power the offense. Also easier to find offense for your backcourt and anchor your defense with a monster like Maluach (or Missi). I think the whole "Quest for the Unicorn Center" is a bit overplayed and teams make compromises for an occasional 3pt shot from a guy who is now out of position for a rebound. I'd rather have punishing rim-protection and picks along with a handful of extra possessions from offensive rebounds than stretch it out for a small handful of outside shots.

Maybe I'm still sore from my Bamba experience.

I'm a trad center fan too having grown up with Wilt and Kareem but for some modern offenses, they are built around getting a center who can spread the floor so that someone else (in the OP's case Zion) can work inside while still having 4 out around him.

Last I located him, Bamba was spotted on Zion's squad ...all kidding aside, I'd love to have Bamba back on a vet min. As a cheap third stringer, he's awesomely capapble of putting up an occasional big game...just can't build around him and count on it. The draft prospect Bamba, if fully realized, would have been an insanely good fit between Franz & Paolo - doing exactly as envisioned with Zion...just blocking everything & grabbing every defensive rebound, while bombing 3's and opening up the paint for F&P to feast inside or catching lobs on the other end.

[lordjeff05]

Sarr has been wildly disappointing sans a handful of interesting games. I'm not entirely sure he solves that many problems either. I get he can block shots and stuff but is he a defensive anchor? A play caller from the paint? How long does that take the develop if you aren't just used to doing it as a teen.

There is some merit to the premise but I have such a hard time right now seeing Sarr be anywhere close to JJJ for example. Not even close.

I get that he wasn't a world beater this year, but I think he showed a game that really compliments Zion. And as far as the comparison to JJJ, Sarr shot way more 3s comparatively as a rookie. He was top 10 in the league this year for 3s per game as a center. And that's as a rookie. They didnt go in at a high rate but those numbers are encouraging. Also he's shown an ability to both block shots and switch, and he's mobile enough to play the 4 if the Pels ever try playing jumbo lineups next year.