New Orleans Trade Partner

[CBS_Take a Report]

New Orleans has been a fringe/middling, treadmill of a team for some time and could be looking at a rebuild (sound familiar LOL) before they los their star. They’ve already lost his attn clearly. 

My initial interest was in could we pry them of Jonas Valančiūnas. Then I started thinking of Zion and perhaps the need for him to reset on his career.

He and Tatum have the Duke connection. Weight and motivation issues linger and would be a concern of course but there is no denying his ability to impact a game when motivated.

Jaylen Brown + Marcus Smart + Picks

For

Jonas Valančiūnas + Zion Williamson

[Jiri Welsch]

There is no way New Orleans trades Zion on his rookie deal unless he explicitly asks for a trade and pulls a Ben Simmons. I also don't think Zion is long for the NBA if he continues on this trajectory. He has probably gained 50-75 pounds since his injury.

I'd be interested in Ingram or Valanciunas or Devonte Graham, but I can't imagine the asking price being something Celtics fans would be happy with. They don't have any knock-down shooters on their roster besides those guys.

[Big333223]

Zion isn't going anywhere.

[wdleehi]

And Boston should not be trading Brown for Zion with the injury issues with Zion's foot.   (I think it is his foot)   

[Wretch]

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/12/14/22834443/zion-williamson-foot-injury-setback-new-orleans-pelicans-trade

Speculation by BR and the Ringer that NO might be buyers at the deadline, Smart and Schroder are specifically mentioned as potential targets to try to get them to the play in game.  They have a 17M trade exception.

I wouldn't mind trading Schroder to NO for either Jaxson Haye or NAW. (I live in VA and I watch VA prospects a fair amount and I think NAW will be a really good pro).  NO has a bunch of picks and I could see a player for pick trade also.

The Cs could trade Schroder and/or Juancho/Parker for picks and/or players to NO to get below the tax.