I Know It May Sound Crazy but... What About Zion

[sillent]

I know that Trae has put some pressure on the organization to come back noticeably better next season.

So far Siakam has been the main name but honestly and realistically does Siakam put us over the top? Especially at the cost of losing special pieces in our new young core (AJ, JJ, OO, Rooks). For an aging player who doesn't put us over the edge it's not worth it.

We stated the players that can Giannis, Jokic and even AD and KAT to an extent but in many cases the best chance to get a game changer is when they ask out for a specific team(s) or when there stock is low.

Zion's stock is low but most of it has less to do with his impact on the basketball court. I wouldn't worry about his weight/conditioning if he was here because I believe he would rather be here and would do that part to prove it.

My main issue would be if he can't handle the females there he might definitely be in trouble here

Other than that I believe coming to a team he would be happy to play for with a star like Young and DJ would be motivating and definitely give us that edge (if he stays on the court and healthy).

If we're going to take a risk which Siakam would be based on his age and asking price I'd rather that risk be Zion because of the reward factor. At this point with his stock being so low he could even possibly cost us a little less than Siakam's asking price.

Trae/DJ/Zion undeniable contenders

Trae/DJ/Siakam ehhh maybe/maybe not

Sometimes as fans we are right to value our young stars and I didn't value most of our young players as high as I value our current ones. I have a pretty good eye for talent and I truly believe (AJ/JJ/OO/Kobe/Mo G/Lundy in his role) will be special. 

I'm only giving up something special if I can get something special and of high value in return. Making any other move would be a big mistake as we often see in hindsight and we are in a position where we are better off staying put before making big mistakes. 

If Zion ends up being a mistake it won't be for basketball reasons but in the right culture and with the right guidance he can ultimately thrive.

Siakam has already had his "right" culture and moving him doesn't necessarily merit the same or better results meaning we've probably already seen the best of him.

I trust the front office though so far every move has been calculated and I'm sure this next one will be as well. I'm just hoping we don't make a move that we can't trade off from or bounce back from if it's the wrong move.

[kg01]

No thanks x1000. 

[bird_dirt]

I’d almost be willing to take a chance on him if it essentially cost us nothing to acquire him, but the Pels won’t let him go for free. 
And dude just keeps pitching more red flags every time I open twitter. 
I’d take this with a grain of salt, but…

 

[swanlee]

 Nope, he is a huge bust

[Wretch]

I'll take him.

[cam1218]

It really depends on the price, but I do wonder if a change of scenery (especially to a place he wanted to play) would be good for him. 

[sillent]

Funny how easily a season or so can change a narrative but I get it.

I would say no to either depending on how much we would have to give back.

If we did Siakam straight up for Hunter and some picks I would even do it I just wouldn't trade none of our young 6 as mentioned above. I'd trade the picks because we have a lot of young guys already that are going to be very valuable.

I guess I can see Siakam working with us then in a staggered rotation meaning only one of Trae or DJ are on the court for the majority of the time we are playing Siakam if we were to get him.

Zion already has plenty in his bag to where I'm not as worried about what else he adds to it especially no time soon.

He'd be an easier guy to plug and play with Trae and DJ but I do see the difficulties of an easy trade and less New Orleans viewed DeAndre Hunter as their ideal power forward. I guess time will ultimately tell.

Edited July 10, 2023 by sillent

[ShooterSays]

13 minutes ago, bird_dirt said:

 

LAZY if true. 

[sillent]

17 minutes ago, cam1218 said:

It really depends on the price, but I do wonder if a change of scenery (especially to a place he wanted to play) would be good for him. 

I agree.

The main thing I'd be betting on is players (especially star players) that don't want to flat out say they don't want to play for a city and/or still want max money usually find weird ways to get out of that city and then everything gets back to normal or they show what they are capable of once they've gotten their wishes.

McGrady on the raptors verses McGrady on the Magics and beyond after getting out of Vince shadows was a completely different player. 

James Harden after being a 6 man on the Thunder then getting traded to Houston.

James Harden again being fat in Houston just to get back to normal once traded. 

Bad examples I know but I'm drawing blanks right now. The point is that it happens.

Spotlights on players are now brighter than ever thanks to social media so I'm sure there were plenty occasions that went under the main stream radar but have done similar or odd things to get out of a city.

JC is probably our best current example because he knows and even admits he could've gave us more than what occured after all the trade rumors but he wanted to be somewhere he was wanted. All players have their personal reasons for their actions.

In Zion's case he knows he can't do what he's done so far here (if he's traded) and still have a career after his contract is up. Especially not a worthwhile one.

I think he'd fit great as a number 2 here though being fed by Trae and not having so much pressure and scrutiny on him.

 

 

Edited July 10, 2023 by sillent

[cam1218]

2 minutes ago, sillent said:

I agree.

The main thing I'd be betting on is players (especially star players) that don't want to flat out say they don't want to play for a city and/or still want max money usually find weird ways to get out of that city and then everything gets back to normal or they show what they are capable of once they've gotten their wishes.

McGrady on the raptors verses McGrady on the Magics and beyond after getting out of Vince shadows was a completely different player. 

James Harden after being a 6 man on the Thunder then getting traded to Houston.

James Harden again being fat in Houston just to get back to normal once traded. 

Bad examples I know but I'm drawing blanks right now. The point is that it happens.

Spotlights on players are now brighter than ever thanks to social media so I'm sure there were plenty occasions that went under the main stream radar but have done similar or odd things to get out of a city.

JC is probably our best current example because he knows and even admits he could've gave us more than what occured after all the trade rumors but he wanted to be somewhere he was wanted. All players have their personal reasons for their actions.

In Zion's case he knows he can't do what he's done so far here (if he's traded) and still have a career after his contract is up. Especially not a worthwhile one.

 

 

There is always that second chance factor that you are alluding to. For him it is really just physical and conditioning, the guy plays at a high level when he is on the court.

I don’t think he’s show much of a commitment to improve these in NO, but if we moved forward on him, I assume there would be some conversations had on that front.

[sillent]

1 minute ago, cam1218 said:

There is always that second chance factor that you are alluding to. For him it is really just physical and conditioning, the guy plays at a high level when he is on the court.

I don’t think he’s show much of a commitment to improve these in NO, but if we moved forward on him, I assume there would be some conversations had on that front.

Exactly ^^^ Plus at 23 (not even in his prime) it's an easier risk to swallow compared to a good not great 29/30yr Siakam.

Timelines and player chemistry/relatability in their game as well as overall interaction matters.

DJ and Trae have the same bday but we can definitely tell who's more older and mature based on age. Sometimes or many times though it gets conflicting when it comes to relating and understanding each other. 

Someone like Trae who's been "a villain" could relate better to Zion than him trying to be the man and tell a grown man 30yr Siakam what to do. Those dynamics definitely come into play.

[kg01]

23 minutes ago, sillent said:

Funny how easily a season or so can change a narrative but I get it...

Never wanted him from day 1.  Check my receipts.  His play/non-play has done nothing but reaffirm my reservations about him. 

[sillent]

14 minutes ago, kg01 said:

Never wanted him from day 1.  Check my receipts.  His play/non-play has done nothing but reaffirm my reservations about him. 

I can respect that. Especially if you have receipts. I mainly only told people he wouldn't be LeBron but a Dominique type player with Trae would be dangerous.

On another note I just saw this article and I would say that I wouldn't be opposed to doing this at all.

Given the Mavs’ draft-night interest in Atlanta Hawks veteran center Clint Capela, and Atlanta's rumored interest in trading for Toronto Raptors All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, here's an expanded five-team trade that could make sense for all sides involved:

Mavs receive: Grant Williams, Clint Capela. Hawks receive: Pascal Siakam. Raptors receive: DeAndre Hunter, Tim Hardaway Jr., two first-round picks (from Hawks) and two second-round picks (from Mavs, rerouted from the original three-team sign-and-trade). Spurs receive: Reggie Bullock, 2030 pick swap (from Mavs). Celtics receive: two second-round picks, trade exception.

[Spud2nique]

6 hours ago, sillent said:

Dominique type

Made a Nique comparison myself. Mainly the way he attacks the rim with ferocity and disregard. He’s kind of bow like Nique!

[Spud2nique]

6 hours ago, sillent said:

Clint Capela. Hawks receive: Pascal Siakam. Raptors receive: DeAndre Hunter,

I think this should ultimately be the deal. This way we keep OO, AJ AND JJ! 
 

Trae

DJ

Bey

Siakam

OO

 

Bogi

AJ

JJ

[theheroatl]

He seems too immature to trust him to be the player we need him to be if we got him.

He ain't no Joe Johnson, Al Horford, or Paul Millsap mentality.

Edited July 11, 2023 by theheroatl

[sillent]

25 minutes ago, theheroatl said:

He seems too immature to trust him to be the player we need him to be if we got him.

He ain't no Joe Johnson, Al Horford, or Paul Millsap mentality.

I can respect that.

[macdaddy]

I'm sure folks in the league know whether he's really as immature as is being portrayed or not.   If not I'd take a chance.  Embiid played 30 games in his first 3 years. 

[Gray Mule]

Any time you trade for any player you take a risk.  Some players are a greater risk than others.  But, usually, the greater risk the cheaper the player becomes.  He, we believe, is a greater risk, therefore he's cheaper.  Being young is the biggest plus in his favor.  

If Atlanta could trade for him at a reasonable cost, I would do it.  This could be a wake-up call for him.