Around the League: The Off-season

[ShelC]

Anyone catch Magic's interview today on First Take? It was a doozy...he went in on everyone in the org. And on the day the Lakers introduced Frank Vogel too...

[Superbone]

Backstabbing ousted Laker legend Magic Johnson. Love it!

[The Bobster]

I wonder what Paul Westhead would say about this?

[Flagrant Fowl]

Zion buys them time...just get the best offer you can to build around Zion. They don’t need to win 50 games next year. Just show promise and let that team grow around Zion. He’s locked up for 8-9 years essentially. Just do it right this time and don’t make stupid decisions to chase wins.

I think it's naive to even say he's "essentially" locked up for 8-9 years. Looking at the recent history of the top players in the league, New Orleans should feel lucky if they have Zion when he's at the peak of his prime.

I also don't understand this narrative of stupid decisions by the Pelicans front office. They certainly weren't perfect (Solomon Hill), but their biggest move(s) weren't stupid. IIRC, Cousins and AD were playing pretty damn well together right up to the point that Cousins suffered a completely unpredictable injury. Most people thought the Randle and Mirotic moves would work out better, and maybe they would have if AD (and Klutch) didn't sabotage their entire season in January.

No one turns down the rookie max extension.

I wouldn't bank on that if I were the Pelicans. And he could still force his way out even if he signs the max extension with them.

[carey]

And he could still force his way out even if he signs the max extension with them.

Just like AD is doing now...

[Split T]

Zion buys them time...just get the best offer you can to build around Zion. They don’t need to win 50 games next year. Just show promise and let that team grow around Zion. He’s locked up for 8-9 years essentially. Just do it right this time and don’t make stupid decisions to chase wins.

I think it's naive to even say he's "essentially" locked up for 8-9 years. Looking at the recent history of the top players in the league, New Orleans should feel lucky if they have Zion when he's at the peak of his prime.

I also don't understand this narrative of stupid decisions by the Pelicans front office. They certainly weren't perfect (Solomon Hill), but their biggest move(s) weren't stupid. IIRC, Cousins and AD were playing pretty damn well together right up to the point that Cousins suffered a completely unpredictable injury. Most people thought the Randle and Mirotic moves would work out better, and maybe they would have if AD (and Klutch) didn't sabotage their entire season in January.

No one turns down the rookie max extension.

I wouldn't bank on that if I were the Pelicans. And he could still force his way out even if he signs the max extension with them.

I don’t understand what you’re suggesting...they should trade Zion now because he might force his way out in 5 years?

[Split T]

And he could still force his way out even if he signs the max extension with them.

Just like AD is doing now...

Right, after 7 years there. If they can’t build something around him in 7 years, he should leave.

[In2ition]

Zion buys them time...just get the best offer you can to build around Zion. They don’t need to win 50 games next year. Just show promise and let that team grow around Zion. He’s locked up for 8-9 years essentially. Just do it right this time and don’t make stupid decisions to chase wins.

I think it's naive to even say he's "essentially" locked up for 8-9 years. Looking at the recent history of the top players in the league, New Orleans should feel lucky if they have Zion when he's at the peak of his prime.

I also don't understand this narrative of stupid decisions by the Pelicans front office. They certainly weren't perfect (Solomon Hill), but their biggest move(s) weren't stupid. IIRC, Cousins and AD were playing pretty damn well together right up to the point that Cousins suffered a completely unpredictable injury. Most people thought the Randle and Mirotic moves would work out better, and maybe they would have if AD (and Klutch) didn't sabotage their entire season in January.

No one turns down the rookie max extension.

I wouldn't bank on that if I were the Pelicans. And he could still force his way out even if he signs the max extension with them.

I don’t understand what you’re suggesting...they should trade Zion now because he might force his way out in 5 years?

That is next level planning.

[INFORMER]

Would anyone take Frank for #32?

I would still trade for him, but I am definitely not giving up a 1st rounder. I wouldn't give up #32 either. Honestly, I think the best the Knicks can hope for is a salary dump.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Zion buys them time...just get the best offer you can to build around Zion. They don’t need to win 50 games next year. Just show promise and let that team grow around Zion. He’s locked up for 8-9 years essentially. Just do it right this time and don’t make stupid decisions to chase wins.

I think it's naive to even say he's "essentially" locked up for 8-9 years. Looking at the recent history of the top players in the league, New Orleans should feel lucky if they have Zion when he's at the peak of his prime.

I also don't understand this narrative of stupid decisions by the Pelicans front office. They certainly weren't perfect (Solomon Hill), but their biggest move(s) weren't stupid. IIRC, Cousins and AD were playing pretty damn well together right up to the point that Cousins suffered a completely unpredictable injury. Most people thought the Randle and Mirotic moves would work out better, and maybe they would have if AD (and Klutch) didn't sabotage their entire season in January.

No one turns down the rookie max extension.

I wouldn't bank on that if I were the Pelicans. And he could still force his way out even if he signs the max extension with them.

I don’t understand what you’re suggesting...they should trade Zion now because he might force his way out in 5 years?

You're right. I'm just playing devil's advocate because, well yeah, he just might force his way out in five years.

They still have to take him and try to make it work, but small market teams like the Pelicans (and Suns) need to be more diligent with star players than they ever needed to be in the past.

[Split T]

I think it's naive to even say he's "essentially" locked up for 8-9 years. Looking at the recent history of the top players in the league, New Orleans should feel lucky if they have Zion when he's at the peak of his prime.

I also don't understand this narrative of stupid decisions by the Pelicans front office. They certainly weren't perfect (Solomon Hill), but their biggest move(s) weren't stupid. IIRC, Cousins and AD were playing pretty damn well together right up to the point that Cousins suffered a completely unpredictable injury. Most people thought the Randle and Mirotic moves would work out better, and maybe they would have if AD (and Klutch) didn't sabotage their entire season in January.

No one turns down the rookie max extension.

I wouldn't bank on that if I were the Pelicans. And he could still force his way out even if he signs the max extension with them.

I don’t understand what you’re suggesting...they should trade Zion now because he might force his way out in 5 years?

You're right. I'm just playing devil's advocate because, well yeah, he just might force his way out in five years.

They still have to take him and try to make it work, but small market teams like the Pelicans (and Suns) need to be more diligent with star players than they ever needed to be in the past.

That’s fair, I just think Zion makes their next step easier. Try to keep AD if you can, but if he’s adamant about leaving, ship him out and build around Zion. Having Zion will spark interest in the team and they aren’t under pressure to be a playoff team next year. Get a good haul of young players/picks for AD. Let some contracts expire next year, draft smart, sign some solid FA’s and they should be set up real nice to compete soon with Zion.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

Can’t imagine they’d get somebody that would help them more than Zion. Zion will be a stud right away.

What about Booker?

How about a Booker-Zion swap? How would a trade centered around them looks like?

[Split T]

Can’t imagine they’d get somebody that would help them more than Zion. Zion will be a stud right away.

What about Booker?

How about a Booker-Zion swap? How would a trade centered around them looks like?

Think you’d want to combine Booker and Zion. We’d be laughably low on perimeter talent.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

Can’t imagine they’d get somebody that would help them more than Zion. Zion will be a stud right away.

What about Booker?

How about a Booker-Zion swap? How would a trade centered around them looks like?

Think you’d want to combine Booker and Zion. We’d be laughably low on perimeter talent.

Of course is the ideal pairing, but I think he is someone who answers your question. Somebody was talking about trading Ayton for AD, combining Booker AD here and Zion-Ayton- Jrue over there, but I think New Orleans would prefer the other way around. Also talks about how keeping Zion and trading AD resets the expectations over there got me thinking about the same in Phoenix.

[Split T]

Can’t imagine they’d get somebody that would help them more than Zion. Zion will be a stud right away.

What about Booker?

How about a Booker-Zion swap? How would a trade centered around them looks like?

Think you’d want to combine Booker and Zion. We’d be laughably low on perimeter talent.

Of course is the ideal pairing, but I think he is someone who answers your question. Somebody was talking about trading Ayton for AD, combining Booker AD here and Zion-Ayton- Jrue over there, but I think New Orleans would prefer the other way around. Also talks about how keeping Zion and trading AD resets the expectations over there got me thinking about the same in Phoenix.

True, booker might help them more than Zion, but I don’t think they could acquire him. Don’t think we’d do it. I’d rank Zion ahead of booker in value, but it’s a total reset on our roster and we’d probably have to wait even longer to get good perimeter talent.

[Indy]

Can’t imagine they’d get somebody that would help them more than Zion. Zion will be a stud right away.

What about Booker?

How about a Booker-Zion swap? How would a trade centered around them looks like?

Think you’d want to combine Booker and Zion. We’d be laughably low on perimeter talent.

Of course is the ideal pairing, but I think he is someone who answers your question. Somebody was talking about trading Ayton for AD, combining Booker AD here and Zion-Ayton- Jrue over there, but I think New Orleans would prefer the other way around. Also talks about how keeping Zion and trading AD resets the expectations over there got me thinking about the same in Phoenix.

True, booker might help them more than Zion, but I don’t think they could acquire him. Don’t think we’d do it. I’d rank Zion ahead of booker in value, but it’s a total reset on our roster and we’d probably have to wait even longer to get good perimeter talent.

I think every GM in the league would be happy to trade Booker for Zion except ours.

[Cap]

Does Booker get a say in this? What if he would rather team up with AD and Jrue in NO than continue to be part of our seemingly endless rebuilding?

[Split T]

What about Booker?

How about a Booker-Zion swap? How would a trade centered around them looks like?

Think you’d want to combine Booker and Zion. We’d be laughably low on perimeter talent.

Of course is the ideal pairing, but I think he is someone who answers your question. Somebody was talking about trading Ayton for AD, combining Booker AD here and Zion-Ayton- Jrue over there, but I think New Orleans would prefer the other way around. Also talks about how keeping Zion and trading AD resets the expectations over there got me thinking about the same in Phoenix.

True, booker might help them more than Zion, but I don’t think they could acquire him. Don’t think we’d do it. I’d rank Zion ahead of booker in value, but it’s a total reset on our roster and we’d probably have to wait even longer to get good perimeter talent.

I think every GM in the league would be happy to trade Booker for Zion except ours.

With our roster? I’m not sure that’s the case. I’m not saying it would be a bad deal...we’d come out ahead talent wise, but we’d be starting over again. I don’t think this team is very far away from being good. Another good ball handler would go a long way...trading booker for Zion leaves you two ball handlers short. Also not really sure what Ayton would do, I don’t love the fit between those two. And I think other GM’s would feel similar, but maybe I’m wrong.

[Cap]

Think you’d want to combine Booker and Zion. We’d be laughably low on perimeter talent.

Of course is the ideal pairing, but I think he is someone who answers your question. Somebody was talking about trading Ayton for AD, combining Booker AD here and Zion-Ayton- Jrue over there, but I think New Orleans would prefer the other way around. Also talks about how keeping Zion and trading AD resets the expectations over there got me thinking about the same in Phoenix.

True, booker might help them more than Zion, but I don’t think they could acquire him. Don’t think we’d do it. I’d rank Zion ahead of booker in value, but it’s a total reset on our roster and we’d probably have to wait even longer to get good perimeter talent.

I think every GM in the league would be happy to trade Booker for Zion except ours.

With our roster? I’m not sure that’s the case. I’m not saying it would be a bad deal...we’d come out ahead talent wise, but we’d be starting over again. I don’t think this team is very far away from being good. Another good ball handler would go a long way...trading booker for Zion leaves you two ball handlers short. Also not really sure what Ayton would do, I don’t love the fit between those two. And I think other GM’s would feel similar, but maybe I’m wrong.

We’d be starting over again, but we’d be starting over with Zion-Ayton, which is a good start to starting over and buys us time.

I know we’re all sick of rebuilding, but that doesn’t mean we can just decide that the rebuilding is over and we’ve built something special. We haven’t. No matter how long rebuilding takes, you’ve got to keep doing it until it succeeds. You can’t just declare the process over.

[Indy]

Of course is the ideal pairing, but I think he is someone who answers your question. Somebody was talking about trading Ayton for AD, combining Booker AD here and Zion-Ayton- Jrue over there, but I think New Orleans would prefer the other way around. Also talks about how keeping Zion and trading AD resets the expectations over there got me thinking about the same in Phoenix.

True, booker might help them more than Zion, but I don’t think they could acquire him. Don’t think we’d do it. I’d rank Zion ahead of booker in value, but it’s a total reset on our roster and we’d probably have to wait even longer to get good perimeter talent.

I think every GM in the league would be happy to trade Booker for Zion except ours.

With our roster? I’m not sure that’s the case. I’m not saying it would be a bad deal...we’d come out ahead talent wise, but we’d be starting over again. I don’t think this team is very far away from being good. Another good ball handler would go a long way...trading booker for Zion leaves you two ball handlers short. Also not really sure what Ayton would do, I don’t love the fit between those two. And I think other GM’s would feel similar, but maybe I’m wrong.

We’d be starting over again, but we’d be starting over with Zion-Ayton, which is a good start to starting over and buys us time.

I know we’re all sick of rebuilding, but that doesn’t mean we can just decide that the rebuilding is over and we’ve built something special. We haven’t. No matter how long rebuilding takes, you’ve got to keep doing it until it succeeds. You can’t just declare the process over.

Are you sure? I am pretty sure we have done that at least twice during this rebuild.