Zion Williamson will be a New Orleans Pelican. That is all.
Actually wait, there is a guy named McNamara who guest stars as the Pelicans’ GM while Shamit and Mason pitch the best trades from opposing teams.
In The N.O. Episode 33: THE PELICANS WIN THE LOTTERY
5 responses to “In The N.O. Episode 33: THE PELICANS WIN THE LOTTERY”
YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
I’ll take Tatum and Brown all day 2x on Sundays…talent wins in the NBA over friendships (Barrett)
I really like AD To The Knicks
For The #3 Pick Plus
Just Would LOVE R J here With Zion
Im Here to LISTEN to McNamara…THAT IS ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great Podcast!
I think there is one key variable being left out of all of these trade scenarios that is over-inflating the haul: AD has one year left on his deal and has not given any firm indication that he is willing to sign an extension with any team outside of NY or LA.
I do not see any scenario where BOS is making that big of a gamble, one where they are trading their entire future, just for a chance to convince AD to sign a contract. Combine that with the uncertainty around Kyrie and I think a trade with Boston is a very low probability at this point.
Unless Kyrie comes out and says that he is re-signing with Boston, I think the Knicks are the clear front runner here. They can offer 3 first rounder’s (3rd overall, Mavs 20’-21’), DSJ (2017 top 10 pick), Kevin Knox (2018 top 10 pick), and Mitchell Robinson (young, very athletic center, that fits beautifully next to Zion and is a NOLA native).
If you run with Knicks trade above, your potential starting lineup come September is:
G: Dennis Smith Jr (21 yrs old)
G: Jrue Holiday (28 yrs old)
F: RJ Barrett (19 yrs old)
F: Zion Williamson (19 yrs old)
C: Mitchell Robinson (21 yrs old)
F: Kevin Knox (19 yrs old) – can also run a small ball lineup with Knox & Williamson (similar to GS “death lineup”)
I am not sure about you guys, but I can’t think of another trade that gives us a more athletic, exciting young line-up that can win now and in the future. The best part? The bulk of your lineup is on rookie deals for the next two seasons, so you can actually build out a team around them with the $15 – 20M in cap space that you will have available. Can you imagine a point in time where the Pelicans actually have the money to sign a remotely decent bench!? And the cherry on top? You will also have 4 first rounder’s (ours + Mavs) over the next two seasons.
My last point as to why I love this trade. Given that the bulk of our core is on rookie deals, we have at minimum two years before we have to hand out any big contracts to anyone. With two seasons of evidence, we will know who plays best together and who will be the core of our future. From there, we can sign the ones we want and let the other walk – or even better, trade them later down the road.
Lengthy, but I think the above gives us the best opportunity for LONG-TERM, SUSTAINED SUCCESS. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Scoop ‘em!