Mendo

We’re inching closer to the NBA Trade Deadline and the fake trades are filling up social media. I love fake trades even though I’m probably too often a critic of them and I often hold fake trades up to the “Is it fair for both teams?” standard which is unrealistic. Online, we go over every trade, trying to make it right for everyone but, in reality, most NBA trades seem lopsided. Most actual trades would be roundly rejected had a fan suggested them online. Fair trades are much harder to find than trades that have a clear winner and loser.

This time around, I’m just going to present trades that I’d like to see. I apologize to the fans who are offended that I would have their teams get back so little for a player they love, but I feel like these are moves that would improve the NBA. So, Trade #1 is going to be…

ZION TO ATLANTA
Zion Williamson doesn’t want to be in New Orleans. We all know it. His latest suspension is just another example of why The Zion Era is never going to be a thing for the Pelicans. And shouldn’t Pelicans fans be used to this by now? Their Eras are: Baron Davis, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, and now Zion. Their logo should be an origami Pelican because some of the rosters look cool on paper but never really amount to anything.

Anyway, Zion wants to be on the Knicks, but I’m not seeing it. It pains me to say this as a Celtics fan, but I like the Knicks roster. They are a fun team and I’m not sure if Zion is going to fit in their chemistry-wise. But an even bigger issue is that teaming Zion with Tom Thibodeau, the king of running players into the ground, is a recipe for disaster.
So if Zion can’t go to NY, why not send him to team up with New York’s Public Enemy #1?

The Atlanta Hawks trade Zaccharie Risacher, Onyeka Okungwu, Kobe Bufkin, Lakers’ 2025 unprotected pick, Kings’ 2025 Top 12 protected pick, 2027 NO/MIL pick that Pels owe to the Hawks, and a conditional Hawks pick (depending on how many games Zion plays in the next two seasons.)

Pelicans fans will scream bloody murder because it’s not a great return for a potential Face of the Franchise, but, again, these aren’t trades I think are even, they are trades I want to see. And also, I just think the Pelicans need to shift to Process mode. It’s time to move on from Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and even Dejounte Murray, who never really got a chance to make an impact in N’Awlins. The top-level talent in the next few drafts seems to have Franchise Star potential so there’s no better time than now to hit rock bottom.

And, yes, Jalen Johnson is the obvious target in an Atlanta trade, but I want to see Jalen alongside Zion. I want to see Trae Young running and creating with two high flyers like Zion and Jalen. Also, I have to add that I’m not a believer in Zion. I don’t know if he’ll ever put it all together, so I’m not sure that top teams, like the Knicks, should roll the dice on him. Atlanta seems to be the perfect middle-ground team that could gamble on him helping get them to the next level. They need to find a Buy Low opportunity and there may be no better option out there on that front than Zion Williamson.