Should Pelicans pair Zion with RJ Barrett?

[Domejandro]

Just keep Anthony Davis and force his hand. If he leaves, he leaves, so be it. Why would you break up your only opportunity to have a core of Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, and Jrue Holiday?

SO If he leaves NOP is basically in the same situation they were when they had AD and couldn’t build a proper contender?

NOP will have multiple assets to around Zion and they can’t miss that opportunity unless AD commit.

Nothing they can receive for Anthony Davis will ever be as good as Anthony Davis. You don't squander an opportunity like this because you are afraid someone leaves.

[Funcrusher]

Just keep Anthony Davis and force his hand. If he leaves, he leaves, so be it. Why would you break up your only opportunity to have a core of Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, and Jrue Holiday?

part of me is with that, but then i tell myself, assuming they don't get any marque free agents, is that really any better than Jrue, Davis and Cousins last year? I know they were trending upward before the Cousins' injury, but I don't think anyone seriously looked at them as contenders (I didn't). And Zion's ceiling is higher the 2018 Cousins, but will he provide the same value in his rookie season? Probably not. Although you could argue Zion is a better fit with Davis (on both ends, really), but yeah, dunno. If AD still leaves in free agency then you get nothing for him and the only assets you have left are Zion and a 30 year old Jrue Holiday. I guess it all hinges on convincing Davis to stay.

[PhilBlackson]

Well keeping Zion happy is an absolute must.

RJ and Zion have been joined by the hips since teaming up at Duke. You not only help almost ensure a happy/healthy locker room the entire time he's there, you make it incredibly difficult even after the next 7 YEARS you have them together for Zion to walk away.

As a Rap fan I hate that it creates a super team in the East with KD/AD/Kyrie but if I'm David Griffin and I want a long tenure as GM, I'm making sure I get Barrett...not like Robinson is a bad pick up either :p, now throw in one of DS Jr or Knox plus Mavs pick and I'm laughing to great start to a rebuild.

RJ is therefore a must if I'm Griffin.

No way I hold on to AD hoping to change his mind, he KNOWS he must win NOW in his prime. He's not waiting around for years to see if Zion can become that guy when he can leave and join one of KD, Bron or heck even Kawhi who are already that. Don't lose him for nothing which guaranteed you will if you don't trade him.

[peZt]

They're a terrible fit but NBA GM's are bad so they're probably gonna accept that offer.

[VCBC]

Well keeping Zion happy is an absolute must.

RJ and Zion have been joined by the hips since teaming up at Duke. You not only help almost ensure a happy/healthy locker room the entire time he's there, you make it incredibly difficult even after the next 7 YEARS you have them together for Zion to walk away.

As a Rap fan I hate that it creates a super team in the East with KD/AD/Kyrie but if I'm David Griffin and I want a long tenure as GM, I'm making sure I get Barrett...not like Robinson is a bad pick up either :p, now throw in one of DS Jr or Knox plus Mavs pick and I'm laughing to great start to a rebuild.

RJ is therefore a must if I'm Griffin.

Been saying this a bunch in past 24 hrs and Mitch is from the NO as well.

Makes too much sense, Knicks in the driver's seat easily.

[Steelo Green]

Mitchell Rob+RJ+Knox for Davis?

I think that would be a damned good haul.

[DreamTeam09]

I'd rather send him to the lakers b/c I think AD and Lebron are still very beatable and wouldn't become some dynasty like KD AD and Kyrie would be.

But sending him east is probably better as an organization and I like the NY assets with the 3rd pick.

Not sure why Lakers gave away Zubac for, he was an intriguing piece to add to a trade for Davis

In terms of teams assets i'd rank em like

Boston
Ny
Lakers

ideally u'd send him to Boston or the lakers

[Forbes]

Yes they should.

These guys are growing and their games are still being built. Basing the decision off of how they played together in college is a horrible idea. Dudes come to the NBA and work on their games even more.

You have one potential back court star and one potential front court star and they both are familiar with each other and made it work in college. Didn’t win it all but that’s fine.

[awkwardlycool]

The Knicks don't have enough for an enticing package imo. Mitchell Robinson is good but no other player on the Knicks is worth pairing with him. I've heard Knox but he's too inconsistent a shooter, same with DSJ. If they get the third pick I'd be surprised if it's not to draft Darius Garland or trade down. R.J Barrett just doesn't seem like the proper fit next to Zion.

DG is a smart GM who will focus on building shooters around Zion and I don't think the Knicks offer enough.

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[DreamTeam09]

Mitchell Rob+RJ+Knox for Davis?

I think that would be a damned good haul.

why not ask for DSJ as well and then move Jrue holiday for the best shooter available

[coldfish]

Pelicans should team Zion with AD and murder teams. Dump a contract and go sign Butler or something and win the league.

JRue
Butler
whomever Griffin can pull out of his rear
Zion
AD

RJ and Zion didn't work in college. Definitely would not work in the pros.

[Saints14]

Something like Mitch robinson, dsj and rj barrett would be pretty attractive. Id take a lakers package with lonzo and ingram and draft bol bol at 4 though. But tgetting that 3rd makes a lot of sense and would be sick to see pairing the college teammates together

Holy crap, that would be a fun team to watch. Spacing would suck, though.

[DreamTeam09]

The Knicks don't have enough for an enticing package imo. Mitchell Robinson is good but no other player on the Knicks is worth pairing with him. I've heard Knox but he's too inconsistent a shooter, same with DSJ. If they get the third pick I'd be surprised if it's not to draft Darius Garland or trade down. R.J Barrett just doesn't seem like the proper fit next to Zion.

DG is a smart GM who will focus on building shooters around Zion and I don't think the Knicks offer enough.

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The other teams don't offer much shooting either.

Whos the shooter on the Lakers or Boston??

Between

Ingram
Kuzma
Tatum
Brown
Knox

I don't see much shooting at all. Knicks do have the highest pick and the best big out of the packages tho

[Hornet Mania]

Sure, and I would be even more enthusiastic about the idea of pairing Zion with the 3rd pick if Memphis bucked conventional wisdom and took Barrett at 2. Either Zion/Barrett or Zion/Morant is a great duo to build around for the next half decade.

[drekwins]

Just keep Anthony Davis and force his hand. If he leaves, he leaves, so be it. Why would you break up your only opportunity to have a core of Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, and Jrue Holiday?

If he leaves, so be it?

So, let me get this right, you would welcome the following:

1) A dysfunctional locker room in year 1 - a very important year for Zion
2) Completely isolating the fanbase with more public drama
3) The entire NBA losing respect for the entire front office once it goes bad - which everyone can foresee.
4) Losing AD for nothing instead of acquiring some legit talent on rookie contracts and picks...

There's no way that AD isn't traded. They've gone through way too much and now need to create the best possible environment for Zion to develop in.

[Jazz9]

Barrett will chuck and chuck
They might be friends but they don't fit on the court

[DreamTeam09]

Pelicans should team Zion with AD and murder teams. Dump a contract and go sign Butler or something and win the league.

JRue
Butler
whomever Griffin can pull out of his rear
Zion
AD

RJ and Zion didn't work in college. Definitely would not work in the pros.

To say they didn't work in college is a bit much. They both got their games off quite easily actually. Yeah RJ was a bit of a hog, but that can be corrected quite easily. In the NBA the coach probably won't make RJ the go to guy, at Duke, coach K put the ball inRJ hands by design

[awkwardlycool]

The Knicks don't have enough for an enticing package imo. Mitchell Robinson is good but no other player on the Knicks is worth pairing with him. I've heard Knox but he's too inconsistent a shooter, same with DSJ. If they get the third pick I'd be surprised if it's not to draft Darius Garland or trade down. R.J Barrett just doesn't seem like the proper fit next to Zion.

DG is a smart GM who will focus on building shooters around Zion and I don't think the Knicks offer enough.

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The other teams don't offer much shooting either.

Whos the shooter on the Lakers or Boston??

Between

Ingram
Kuzma
Tatum
Brown
Knox

I don't see much shooting at all. Knicks do have the highest pick and the best big out of the packages tho

I like the combo of Tatum and Brown the most with Zion but honestly would be surprised to see the Celtics go all-in for a potential one year deal. I'm not impressed with too many of these packages honestly. Not sure why people are so excited about the Knox/DSJ/Mitch Robinson package. Robinson is good but Knox and DSJ don't seem like players that can help you win especially once you start thinking playoffs.

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[Domejandro]

Just keep Anthony Davis and force his hand. If he leaves, he leaves, so be it. Why would you break up your only opportunity to have a core of Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, and Jrue Holiday?

If he leaves, so be it?

So, let me get this right, you would welcome the following:

1) A dysfunctional locker room in year 1 - a very important year for Zion
2) Completely isolating the fanbase with more public drama
3) The entire NBA losing respect for the entire front office once it goes bad - which everyone can foresee.
4) Losing AD for nothing instead of acquiring some legit talent on rookie contracts and picks...

There's no way that AD isn't traded. They've gone through way too much and now need to create the best possible environment for Zion to develop in.

Those points are a pretty slanted from the reality of the situation, but sure. Force Anthony Davis' hand.

Walk away from....
35% max (compared to 30%)
7.5% raises (compared to 4.5%)
5 year contract (compared to 4 years)
A core of Jrue Holiday, Zion Williamson, and Himself (+Whomever they net in free-agency)

If I am David Griffin, I am happy to hold out and make him make the decision.

Of course, I wouldn't be opposed to listening to trade offers, but frankly, I would be perfectly happy moving forward with what New Orleans has, if I was the President of Basketball Operations.

[JamesDolan]

Just keep Anthony Davis and force his hand. If he leaves, he leaves, so be it. Why would you break up your only opportunity to have a core of Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, and Jrue Holiday?

If he leaves, so be it?

So, let me get this right, you would welcome the following:

1) A dysfunctional locker room in year 1 - a very important year for Zion
2) Completely isolating the fanbase with more public drama
3) The entire NBA losing respect for the entire front office once it goes bad - which everyone can foresee.
4) Losing AD for nothing instead of acquiring some legit talent on rookie contracts and picks...

There's no way that AD isn't traded. They've gone through way too much and now need to create the best possible environment for Zion to develop in.

Those points are a pretty slanted from the reality of the situation, but sure. Force Anthony Davis' hand.

Walk away from....
35% max (compared to 30%)
7.5% raises (compared to 4.5%)
5 year contract (compared to 4 years)
A core of Jrue Holiday, Zion Williamson, and Himself (+Whomever they net in free-agency)

If I am David Griffin, I am happy to hold out and make him make the decision.

Of course, I wouldn't be opposed to listening to trade offers, but frankly, I would be perfectly happy moving forward with what New Orleans has, if I was the President of Basketball Operations.

He will leave at the end of the season. I take him on his word.

Pelicans should take the best deal and move on.

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