Duke4life831 wrote: My big question is, is the team and Zion friction as bad as it currently seems publicity? If so how long has it been like this behind the scenes? If it is as bad as it seems and it's been like this for awhile, they really should've gone after Simmons. Simmons is a much better piece long term to build around with Ingram than CJ. I'm beginning to fear that the CJ trade was a last minute hail Mary to try and convince Zion to stay. Also I guess another thing to think about with the Simmons thing is, would he even be willing to play for NO and how long until he demands a trade?
And ya when it comes to the current roster. Man what a disappointment it has been so far after the trade. I really thought they were going to go bigger and like you said it would be CJ replacing Graham. I really felt like it was set up for that with how they were using Ingram.
In all honesty I think starting the Graham/CJ lineup is probably the worst thing they can be doing. Obviously this would be much easier if Nance wasn't hurt. But ya id rather send CJ to the bench and have either Murphy or Naji in the starting lineup. Hell I even think Temple in their would be a better idea, even with how bad he's played. Or even go with a twin tower starting lineup with Hayes out there.
I just don't think you can have a starting backcourt of those two tiny guards that play zero defense. Again id rather them just go big then basically say it's up to Ingram, CJ and Jonas to figure out the scoring aspect.
Unfortunately, regarding Zion's relationship behind the scenes, it's not a question I would have any answers to.
My response to all this however, would be to not cater to anyone, regardless. Even in life, when has cow towing ever worked out ?. Never, it just prolongs the inevitable truth. If there is an issue, NO's despite all the failed hail Mary's thrown this offseason, are far from being in a bad position.
If there is issues besides his health, I'd take front & trade Zion for a based package of a top 3 pick & a 2 way wing.., which I think would round out this roster nicely. .. NO's could also use Graham as salary filler to dump his fit/contract... Who know's, maybe Knicks luck into a top 3 pick with their rumored interest & NO'scould leverage rival competition. If I had to guess, it looks like the money behind Zion want him in NY/big market & it's not so much his family as rumored..
Knicks - 22 top 4 pick, 23 right to swap, 24 pick + expiring contract for Graham, don't take back any dead weight salary from NY.
This not factoring potential lottery luck with NO's currently holding 2 lotto tickets. Get lucky & find themselves with a nice pick in this draft, without trade... Life is funny like that.
I also see some OKC fans seem to think/believe SGA might be made available this offseason. Zion's potential could grease that kind of a trade, even if it's not a direct trade.
If SGA is made available using Zion's potential = (Jonas/Herb/BI/SGA/CJ)
Then imagine having the luck to have one maybe both of their lottery tickets landing top 4 where they can draft a future big man where Jonas would fill a 2yr development gap.. possibly pushed to the bench.
Jonas - (top 4 Chet or Smith)
Herb - (Hayes)
BI - ?
SGA - ?
CJ - ?
I think NO's GM could manuever himself out of this current mess into a much healtheir situatin in the offseason. All NO's have to do is focus on passing LA in the standings, which is luuking better with news of Lebron's dissapointment with their trade deadline results.
Step 1.. take Graham out the starting rotation.