It would be hilarious if AD is more patient with NOP I know some people are saying "Maybe AD still wants to go?" Maybe...but you know what, will NOP trade him? My guess is they will see how it works on the court. I really don't mind the Lakers getting the top 4, like I said, the Lakers weren't tanking so I actually like to see a team slip in to the top 4. Grizzlies too didn't go into the year tanking.
The Anthony Davis trade might be inevitable anyway. Here's what the Pelicans should do if that is the case. Take Zion at #1. Trade Anthony Davis to the Knicks for the #3 pick, a plus player (Knox?), and filler. Use the #3 pick on Barrett or Morant. They're well on their way to rebuilding with an exciting team.
Yeah pretty stupid of him. Especially if NO ends up being better than LA or Boston next year. Unlikely, but not impossible.
You never know. He could change his mind, depending on how fast Zion adapts to the NBA. Not sure about their cap space situation, but Holiday / Zion / Davis / Randle / really good FA is a damn good starting lineup. If I was NO, I'd still look to trade Anthony Davis, though. Imagine if you did that and lured Klay away from the Warriors. Holiday / Klay / Zion + current NO roster + windfall from AD trade. That's a damn solid team. Might not be title contenders, but that team can easily compete for HCA in the playoffs.
I would still trade Davis. Get excellent young players and picks. Tank again next year. Have Zion and their pick, and whatever picks for Davis. Go a year with that and then trade some of those players for an upgrade. and Boom
Rigged Edit: considering some people seem to say it's rigged and mean it, I'll point out I'm being sarcastic.
Blatantly rigged for Lakers to trade their #4 pick along with Ball/Ingram to get AD. Am I overthinking this or not?
Zion, Lonzo and Ingram would be a fun watch. I wonder if NO would now be open to moving AD to LA after this.
doubt it. everything ive seen in the interviews with AD, especially on Bron's show hes pretty set on doing what he wants at this point. not sure if you've seen it but its pretty telling how frustrated he is that nop didnt trade him like he asked. basically its just him trying to be a professional at this point and waiting for it to finally happen
NBA is rigged all the way down to the draft lottery system. AD leaving a small market team, with rumors of kyrie and katy going to the knicks? Here you go Pels. Well serve it on a silver platter for you. Only loser here is Zion. Poor guy.