The Bulls should go all in for Zion

[jnrjr79]

New Pelicans Exec Joe Dumars Dismisses Idea of 'Mandate' to Trade Zion Williamson
New Orleans' new executive vice president of basketball operations said there's no mandate to trade the franchise's much-maligned star player.

https://www.si.com/nba/new-pelicans-exec-joe-dumars-trade-zion-williamson-comments?utm_source=reddit.com

"I read that last week...that I had a mandate," Dumars said with a chuckle. "If I have, no one has called me and told me that," he added.

"No really, absolutely zero. Me and Mrs. Benson talked and she really just said, 'Joe I would like to know what it's like to win an NBA title.' That was it. That was as close to an edict as you will get."

Could be true, but you obviously would never acknowledge a mandate even if you had one.

[drosestruts]

We know everyone has their concerns about Zion being an 82-game player

Does anyone doubt his ability to be a "16-game player"?

[Ice Man]

Does anyone doubt his ability to be a "16-game player"?

Ummm .... the Pelicans have made the playoffs twice during Zion's career (2022, 2024). He has been available to play for exactly zero of those games. So, yes, I doubt that ability very much.

[kodo]

New Pelicans Exec Joe Dumars Dismisses Idea of 'Mandate' to Trade Zion Williamson
New Orleans' new executive vice president of basketball operations said there's no mandate to trade the franchise's much-maligned star player.

https://www.si.com/nba/new-pelicans-exec-joe-dumars-trade-zion-williamson-comments?utm_source=reddit.com

"I read that last week...that I had a mandate," Dumars said with a chuckle. "If I have, no one has called me and told me that," he added.

"No really, absolutely zero. Me and Mrs. Benson talked and she really just said, 'Joe I would like to know what it's like to win an NBA title.' That was it. That was as close to an edict as you will get."

Could be true, but you obviously would never acknowledge a mandate even if you had one.

Possible, but I would say it's more likely a random internet writer is making stuff up for hits than a GM on an official press conference is bold faced directly lying to the media & fan base.

I remember people said the same thing about Arturus when he said publically we were not tanking and plans haven't changed we're competing. "Oh he would never say we were rebuilding, that would lower his leverage in Lavine & Vuc trades." And 1 season later here we are with 39 wins again and Vuc isn't even off the team.

It's not like Zion is untouchable in any case. But it doesn't seem like Dumars *must* trade him and thus we can get Zion for pennies on the dollar for a PWill + filler contract. I'm sure any team can get him for a trade favoring NOP, which is not how we would want to get him.

[jnrjr79]

New Pelicans Exec Joe Dumars Dismisses Idea of 'Mandate' to Trade Zion Williamson
New Orleans' new executive vice president of basketball operations said there's no mandate to trade the franchise's much-maligned star player.

https://www.si.com/nba/new-pelicans-exec-joe-dumars-trade-zion-williamson-comments?utm_source=reddit.com

Could be true, but you obviously would never acknowledge a mandate even if you had one.

Possible, but I would say it's more likely a random internet writer is making stuff up for hits than a GM on an official press conference is bold faced directly lying to the media & fan base.

I remember people said the same thing about Arturus when he said publically we were not tanking and plans haven't changed we're competing. "Oh he would never say we were rebuilding, that would lower his leverage in Lavine & Vuc trades." And 1 season later here we are with 39 wins again and Vuc isn't even off the team.

It's not like Zion is untouchable in any case. But it doesn't seem like Dumars *must* trade him and thus we can get Zion for pennies on the dollar for a PWill + filler contract. I'm sure any team can get him for a trade favoring NOP, which is not how we would want to get him.

I couldn't agree with this less. Whether Dumars has a mandate or not, in a press conference, the only thing he can say is that he does not. Otherwise, it kills all your leverage.

You may or may not lend any credence to the report that he does, but his response denying it is of zero value.

[Am2626]

Milwaukee would want Giddey and Matas. Plus picks.

Would gladly accept that for Giannis but Giannis has publicly stated that he has no interest in leaving Milwaukee. He is a rare Superstar that is incredibly loyal.

Starting over with Giannis and Coby would be completely pointless. And we wouldn’t have any assets to trade for another star. That would a worse team than Milwaukee is right now. He would not want to be here for that.

Giannis in his prime is significantly better than Giddey and Matas combined. You didn’t elaborate on picks but with a talent like Giannis that would be worth it. It’s not the same as mortgaging the future for Vuc. Also free agency is a viable outlet to improve your team. Getting a franchise player to build around is the hardest thing to do. Giannis would give the Bulls that type of player that they haven’t had since prime Rose. In any event I don’t see it happening because Giannis has never given any indication that he wants out of Milwaukee.

[WindyCityBorn]

Would gladly accept that for Giannis but Giannis has publicly stated that he has no interest in leaving Milwaukee. He is a rare Superstar that is incredibly loyal.

Starting over with Giannis and Coby would be completely pointless. And we wouldn’t have any assets to trade for another star. That would a worse team than Milwaukee is right now. He would not want to be here for that.

Giannis in his prime is significantly better than Giddey and Matas combined. You didn’t elaborate on picks but with a talent like Giannis that would be worth it. It’s not the same as mortgaging the future for Vuc. Also free agency is a viable outlet to improve your team. Getting a franchise player to build around is the hardest thing to do. Giannis would give the Bulls that type of player that they haven’t had since prime Rose. In any event I don’t see it happening because Giannis has never given any indication that he wants out of Milwaukee.

Doesn’t matter how good the guy if you don’t have the talent around him to compete. See Milwaukee now. He may ask out, but only to a team that is ready to win immediately. That definitely wouldn’t be us.

[Bulliever2020]

Would gladly accept that for Giannis but Giannis has publicly stated that he has no interest in leaving Milwaukee. He is a rare Superstar that is incredibly loyal.

Starting over with Giannis and Coby would be completely pointless. And we wouldn’t have any assets to trade for another star. That would a worse team than Milwaukee is right now. He would not want to be here for that.

Giannis in his prime is significantly better than Giddey and Matas combined. You didn’t elaborate on picks but with a talent like Giannis that would be worth it. It’s not the same as mortgaging the future for Vuc. Also free agency is a viable outlet to improve your team. Getting a franchise player to build around is the hardest thing to do. Giannis would give the Bulls that type of player that they haven’t had since prime Rose. In any event I don’t see it happening because Giannis has never given any indication that he wants out of Milwaukee.

Why in the world would Giannis sign up for a rebuild at this point in his career? You can't just sell him on we're going to go out and get a bunch of good free agents just wait. And if he is traded, he has done enough for that franchise that they will work with him on a destination where he will be happy.

And also the thing no one has brought up for some reason, the absolute last thing Milwaukee would want to do is trade him to a division rival.

[mc140]

Zion is simply the Center version of Lonzo. Just a walking injury. Hard pass.

[WesPeace]

Zion is simply the Center version of Lonzo. Just a walking injury. Hard pass.

Center with 6'6? Center he never played..

[WookieOnRitalin]

Zion is fat and injured.

Why would anyone want him?

[Tetlak]

Unless it's for dirt cheap, no thanks.

[prolific passer]

Hooray mediocrity

[Am2626]

New Pelicans Exec Joe Dumars Dismisses Idea of 'Mandate' to Trade Zion Williamson
New Orleans' new executive vice president of basketball operations said there's no mandate to trade the franchise's much-maligned star player.

https://www.si.com/nba/new-pelicans-exec-joe-dumars-trade-zion-williamson-comments?utm_source=reddit.com

Could be true, but you obviously would never acknowledge a mandate even if you had one.

Possible, but I would say it's more likely a random internet writer is making stuff up for hits than a GM on an official press conference is bold faced directly lying to the media & fan base.

I remember people said the same thing about Arturus when he said publically we were not tanking and plans haven't changed we're competing. "Oh he would never say we were rebuilding, that would lower his leverage in Lavine & Vuc trades." And 1 season later here we are with 39 wins again and Vuc isn't even off the team.

It's not like Zion is untouchable in any case. But it doesn't seem like Dumars *must* trade him and thus we can get Zion for pennies on the dollar for a PWill + filler contract. I'm sure any team can get him for a trade favoring NOP, which is not how we would want to get him.

Dumars isn’t going to shoot himself in the foot and publicly say he has to move Zion. That would instantly kills any trade value for Zion. We’ll just have to wait and see how everything shakes out.

[jacoby1us]

This page is funny, how can a bottom feeding team and their fanbase have the nerve to be picky?

No worries either way, no star or superstar in their prime would come to Chicago willingly, so this is something that delusional Bulls fans don't have to worry about.

[jnrjr79]

This page is funny, how can a bottom feeding team and their fanbase have the nerve to be picky?

No worries either way, no star or superstar in their prime would come to Chicago willingly, so this is something that delusional Bulls fans don't have to worry about.

Well, this is a silly question. There are good arguments to trade for Zion and I'd give it a whirl under the right circumstances, but the reason why it's a huge risk and you could be "picky" about it are blindingly obvious.

It's the injuries.

[dougthonus]

We know everyone has their concerns about Zion being an 82-game player

Does anyone doubt his ability to be a "16-game player"?

Thus far, he has ended all six seasons of his career injured. Maybe 1-2 of those he could have played if he had to? But yeah, you should very much doubt that.

[dougthonus]

This page is funny, how can a bottom feeding team and their fanbase have the nerve to be picky?

No worries either way, no star or superstar in their prime would come to Chicago willingly, so this is something that delusional Bulls fans don't have to worry about.

This is like going up to someone who is unemployed and saying, well I will pay you 25 cents an hour to do some work for me. Then complaining that they are picky.

If you are in a bad situation, you have to do the best thing to improve your situation. Under some circumstances, perhaps Zion could be that thing, but it's pretty obvious how trading for Zion could also make your situation far worse.

Just because things are lousy now doesn't mean every move is a good move.

[MrSparkle]

Rose and Lonzo have to be amongst the worst long-contract/injury situations since 2000. So Bulls fans have reason to fear the deja vu.

Brandon Roy, Grant Hill obvious ones. Just the magnitude of drop and number of successive seasons missed for a young prime player, if not early retirement. It’s impossible for a franchise to pivot without hard tanking another 3-4 years, assuming they didn’t spend draft capital to trade.

There have been other ones like Kawhi, George, T-Mac, Amare, Beal… Gilbert, Simmons, Howard. A big name becomes just a name when their knees, ankles or backs give out.

Where do we see Zion there? Things can go either way. I just listed a lot of “can’t-miss” stars who wrecked franchises. How many more you need?

Zion’s a big risk. Bigger than Lonzo was (in 2021). Zion’s incredible when available, but we don’t have the expendable assets to make a simple low risk trade.

[dougthonus]

Could be true, but you obviously would never acknowledge a mandate even if you had one.

Possible, but I would say it's more likely a random internet writer is making stuff up for hits than a GM on an official press conference is bold faced directly lying to the media & fan base.

I remember people said the same thing about Arturus when he said publically we were not tanking and plans haven't changed we're competing. "Oh he would never say we were rebuilding, that would lower his leverage in Lavine & Vuc trades." And 1 season later here we are with 39 wins again and Vuc isn't even off the team.

It's not like Zion is untouchable in any case. But it doesn't seem like Dumars *must* trade him and thus we can get Zion for pennies on the dollar for a PWill + filler contract. I'm sure any team can get him for a trade favoring NOP, which is not how we would want to get him.

I couldn't agree with this less. Whether Dumars has a mandate or not, in a press conference, the only thing he can say is that he does not. Otherwise, it kills all your leverage.

You may or may not lend any credence to the report that he does, but his response denying it is of zero value.

Gar Forman came out at the end of season press conference one year and said our #1 priority was resigning Ben Gordon after he took the QO, we never even contacted him about a contract.

I have no idea if they are hell bent on trading Zion or not, but I agree you simply aren't going to say you are even if you are because of perceived loss of leverage. That said, real leverage comes from multiple bidders not from whether someone feels you have to trade him or not. In this situation, there is enough smoke that they want to trade Zion that no one is outbidding themselves anyway. I don't think a mandate or lack of mandate will really make much of a difference here, but agree philosophically that no one would announce it regardless.