Trading Zion

Let's assume the Pels win the lottery.

Let's assume Rich Paul reps Zion and is attempting to steer him away from Pelicans (denying draft workouts, saying he will sign qualifying offer after rookie contract).

What would it take for you to consider trading the #1 pick, i.e. Zion Williamson?

I cannot see the Pelicans trading him as he is probably the most marketable option this team has right now.

Let me preface my answer by saying that I don't believe this scenario is at all likely. I'm just speculating on the hypothetical because it's kind of fun, I don't think this will happen at all.

But I'd still just draft him anyway. Zion strikes me as the kind of guy who can make his own decisions, and also as the kind of guy who wouldn't be willing to take somebody else's word on faith about threatening to sit or something. I think he would play, and play hard, because that's the kind of guy who he seems to be, and we would have enough years to convince him to stay.

AD wants to leave for a bunch of reasons. Chief amongst them are the fact that he hasn't had any sustained success, and also the fact that Rich Paul and Lebron want AD in Los Angeles.

Zion wouldn't have that first problem (at least not immediately) because in his rookie year, he hasn't had any TIME to have sustained anything, so that judgement will always come later. And as much as I think Zion has generational-talent potential, I don't see a 35/36 year old Lebron breaking his back to try and play with an unproven rookie.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Let me preface my answer by saying that I don't believe this scenario is at all likely. I'm just speculating on the hypothetical because it's kind of fun, I don't think this will happen at all.

But I'd still just draft him anyway. Zion strikes me as the kind of guy who can make his own decisions, and also as the kind of guy who wouldn't be willing to take somebody else's word on faith about threatening to sit or something. I think he would play, and play hard, because that's the kind of guy who he seems to be, and we would have enough years to convince him to stay.

AD wants to leave for a bunch of reasons. Chief amongst them are the fact that he hasn't had any sustained success, and also the fact that Rich Paul and Lebron want AD in Los Angeles.

Zion wouldn't have that first problem (at least not immediately) because in his rookie year, he hasn't had any TIME to have sustained anything, so that judgement will always come later. And as much as I think Zion has generational-talent potential, I don't see a 35/36 year old Lebron breaking his back to try and play with an unproven rookie.

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Yeah AD was that guy too.
Remember Gentry compared him to Duncan?
People change.
Human's are arseholes.

I wouldn't trade Zion. He could do whatever he wants but I'd still draft him.

However, I don't think we'd have that issue because I don't think Zion would hire Rich. Too many agents are going to use the way this AD situation played out to try and damage Rich and with good reason.

Even if Zion did pick him, I don't see Zion as a Beta like AD.

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Originally Posted by AUSSIE_PELICAN

Yeah AD was that guy too.
Remember Gentry compared him to Duncan?
People change.
Human's are arseholes.

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Yeah, but if you walk into any professional decision assuming that everyone on the planet is a total conniving jerk who is just looking to stab you in the back at every opportunity, you'll probably make very few allies and meet with very little success.

I'm not saying that there's ZERO chance Zion could be another AD situation. It's perfectly possible that he gets that first NBA paycheck and then decides that now that he's cashed in a little, he can demand a trade to wherever as a rookie and refuse to play until it happens. It's possible, sure.

But if you work on the assumption that that's going to happen, why even bother?

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Let me preface my answer by saying that I don't believe this scenario is at all likely. I'm just speculating on the hypothetical because it's kind of fun, I don't think this will happen at all.

But I'd still just draft him anyway. Zion strikes me as the kind of guy who can make his own decisions, and also as the kind of guy who wouldn't be willing to take somebody else's word on faith about threatening to sit or something. I think he would play, and play hard, because that's the kind of guy who he seems to be, and we would have enough years to convince him to stay.

AD wants to leave for a bunch of reasons. Chief amongst them are the fact that he hasn't had any sustained success, and also the fact that Rich Paul and Lebron want AD in Los Angeles.

Zion wouldn't have that first problem (at least not immediately) because in his rookie year, he hasn't had any TIME to have sustained anything, so that judgement will always come later. And as much as I think Zion has generational-talent potential, I don't see a 35/36 year old Lebron breaking his back to try and play with an unproven rookie.

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I don't know what kind of guy Zion is. He's 18. He doesn't know what kind of guy he is yet, tbh.

AD wanted to be in LA, that's why he hired Rich Paul. I think we shouldn't excuse or diminish AD like he has no ownership of this situation. His desire to be in LA led him to Rich, not the other way around.

...But that wasn't really the point. I'm really just trying to see what kind of offers we'd have to get to consider trading Zion. Everyone in sports should have a value and a price. What's Zion's?

No, just stop.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

I don't know what kind of guy Zion is. He's 18. He doesn't know what kind of guy he is yet, tbh.
...But that wasn't really the point. I'm really just trying to see what kind of offers we'd have to get to consider trading Zion. Everyone in sports should have a value and a price. What's Zion's?

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By what kind of guy Zion is, I mean what kind of guy he appears to be right now. He could be a completely different person in a couple of years, or he could be secretly a completely different person right now. I'm totally open to that possibility, I'm just going off the information we have right now.

It's all well and good saying that AD wanted to be in LA, but why does he want to be in LA? He didn't want to be in LA a few years ago when he signed his second deal with us. So something changed. If it's the fact that he hates New Orleans all of a sudden then sure, but it's far more likely that either he's decided that he's not going to win here and wants to go play with Lebron, which is a pretty safe formula for NBA success, or he's been convinced by Rich Paul and Lebron that leaving will be best for him. In either case, my points stand.

Honestly, the minimum starting point for getting to trade Zion would feature Giannis. A Giannis who says to me, in his own words, that he's happy to play in New Orleans long term. That's like, a minimum. I'm not picking up the phone for less.

Lebron will be in a wheelchair before Zion has any leverage to begin with. Rich Paul won’t have a say in his future either for the first 4 years. I’m not concerned at all

Are you all basically saying that there is no trade package the Pelicans could be presented with that would be worth trading Zion? That's surprising.

If Knicks landed at 3, and wanted to move up, you wouldn't trade Zion for a shot at RJ/Ja, a couple of future picks, and Kevin Knox?

What if Chicago lands at 5, and they offer you Markkanen and the 5th pick, and 2020 first rounder?

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Are you all basically saying that there is no trade package the Pelicans could be presented with that would be worth trading Zion? That's surprising.

If Knicks landed at 3, and wanted to move up, you wouldn't trade Zion for a shot at RJ/Ja, a couple of future picks, and Kevin Knox?

What if Chicago lands at 5, and they offer you Markkanen and the 5th pick, and 2020 first rounder?

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I'd say no to both.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

I'd say no to both.

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Is there anything (outside of Luka and Giannis) you'd say yes to?

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Is there anything (outside of Luka and Giannis) you'd say yes to?

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Not that I can think of right now. It's possible there is something else, but it's not coming to mind.

Even if there was that roadblock, we'd have multiple years to create a culture and an environment that could change Zion's mind. That could be a franchise defining process, if he ended up staying. Yes it would be a risk, but it would be a risk with the potential for a monumental reward.

To get me to give up that chance, I would require a monumental return that would have an equal (or near equal) chance to completely define the future of the franchise, over a long period of time. I'm not picking up the phone for a sign-and-trade with Durant, even. Giannis is my starting line.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Not that I can think of right now. It's possible there is something else, but it's not coming to mind.

Even if there was that roadblock, we'd have multiple years to create a culture and an environment that could change Zion's mind. That could be a franchise defining process, if he ended up staying. Yes it would be a risk, but it would be a risk with the potential for a monumental reward.

To get me to give up that chance, I would require a monumental return that would have an equal (or near equal) chance to completely define the future of the franchise, over a long period of time. I'm not picking up the phone for a sign-and-trade with Durant, even. Giannis is my starting line.

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Looking at who has multiple picks and young assets, I can't really find a trade partner either. I'm not opposed to the idea if the trade is right, but it would have to be something akin to what we'e asking for Davis, and there just aren't that many trade partners. I find myself staring at only the Clippers, Celtics, and Knicks again... with Denver and Phoenix as long shots. Denver could put Porter Jr., Murray and future 1st into the deal. Phoenix would have to hope their pick landed in top 4, and they'd have to include a future pick, and a young asset like Bridges.

It does raise the question of whether any other team that wins the lottery, like the Knicks, would make a similar judgement and not trade Zion.

I'd say yes for Luka. I don't think there's another deal a team could put together that I would take.

His value comes from also putting butts in seats too and getting people excited for basketball.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Looking at who has multiple picks and young assets, I can't really find a trade partner either. I'm not opposed to the idea if the trade is right, but it would have to be something akin to what we'e asking for Davis, and there just aren't that many trade partners. I find myself staring at only the Clippers, Celtics, and Knicks again... with Denver and Phoenix as long shots. Denver could put Porter Jr., Murray and future 1st into the deal. Phoenix would have to hope their pick landed in top 4, and they'd have to include a future pick, and a young asset like Bridges.

It does raise the question of whether any other team that wins the lottery, like the Knicks, would make a similar judgement and not trade Zion.

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If you're the Knicks, acquiring Davis comes with a fairly strong chance to land Kyrie and KD as well.

If there's a team out there that can trade me Davis, KD, and Kyrie for Zion, then I'll consider.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Are you all basically saying that there is no trade package the Pelicans could be presented with that would be worth trading Zion? That's surprising.

If Knicks landed at 3, and wanted to move up, you wouldn't trade Zion for a shot at RJ/Ja, a couple of future picks, and Kevin Knox?

What if Chicago lands at 5, and they offer you Markkanen and the 5th pick, and 2020 first rounder?

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I'd go back if I could get ja morant plus picks n players...he'll yes. I think in this day and age a team is better equipped for the future with an All-Star point guard rather than zion

side point first - if Zion would hire Rich Paul, Paul (and AD's) problem was with Dell, not NOLA, not Gayle, so if he is dealing with, just for example, David Griffin, instead of Dell, I dont think it would be a problem except for the hard core fans - like us.
but to the original question, there is only one circumstance where I would consider trading the #1 pick, and that's if AD would stay. And even then, I'm not sure. Not that AD would stay to play with Zion, but if the Pels won the #1 and AD says 'trade Zion for Beal and wahtever' or 'DJ/Knox and #3' or whatever, then that's an iteresting scenario. AD+Jrue+your favorite deal could be something good enough to become interesting. I haven't looked in to it enough to know what that would be, but we've got like 5 months to kill thinking about wildly unlikely things, so why not... AD comes out and says 'I've always loved it here and wanted it to work here, but didn't think previous management to get it done, I'm so grateful that now we've got a chance to make that happen' and most fans will instantly forgive him. It'll never happen, but while we're considering what you'd trade Zion for to rebuild without AD, may as well think about this one too...

I guess the odd scenario where AD stays is if we luck into Zion and the deal is agreed to with the Celtics. From Lebrons point of view, AD is best staying put in Nola cause AD on a next super team would screw Lebron.

If you win the lotto you keep Zion. Trade AD to Knicks for RJ Barret, Knox, Dennis Smith and 2021 1st 2023 1st


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Originally Posted by pelicanchamp

If you win the lotto you keep Zion. Trade AD to Knicks for RJ Barret, Knox, Dennis Smith and 2021 1st 2023 1st


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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If we won I'd probably do the Boston trade to have a core of Jrue, Tatum, Smart, and Zion.

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

If we won I'd probably do the Boston trade to have a core of Jrue, Tatum, Smart, and Zion.

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Man,I dont know. We could get DSJ, Knox, Ntilikina, Mitchell & Knicks #2 or #3 (Barrett or Morant) Although not a fan of Barrett + futures. Thats a nice haul. JRUE, ZION, DSJ, Barrett (or whoever REDDISH), KNOX, Ntilikina, Mitchell, Randle, Jah, Kenny Hustle & Frank.
Not a bad young team & JRUE !

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Originally Posted by pelicanchamp

If you win the lotto you keep Zion. Trade AD to Knicks for RJ Barret, Knox, Dennis Smith and 2021 1st 2023 1st


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We didn't win the lottery with better odds in 2016, we're not winning it now

AD said he'd go to 29 teams, that's our best bet of landing pick 1

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Originally Posted by AusPel

We didn't win the lottery with better odds in 2016, we're not winning it now

AD said he'd go to 29 teams, that's our best bet of landing pick 1

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David Griffin .

Peter Griffin

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Originally Posted by Tinman

Man,I dont know. We could get DSJ, Knox, Ntilikina, Mitchell & Knicks #2 or #3 (Barrett or Morant) Although not a fan of Barrett + futures. Thats a nice haul. JRUE, ZION, DSJ, Barrett (or whoever REDDISH), KNOX, Ntilikina, Mitchell, Randle, Jah, Kenny Hustle & Frank.
Not a bad young team & JRUE !

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My concern with all those young players is that it's too many to develop. You also have to keep in mind in a trade like that, Jrue probably wants out so we'd get even more young players. I'm not saying I'd be mad if we did it.

I just think I like a core group of Jrue, Tatum, Smart, Zion, PLUS a future Memphis pick and whatever other first from Boston a bit better.

I'm not entirely sure about that.

For me, I think the number of young players at once that we could handle depends on their development. It's undeniable that, say, 5 total rookies would be too many. But would 2 rookies, 2 second year players, and a third year guy be too much? I don't think so.

Like Mythrol, I'm not saying I'd be mad if we got a whole heap of rookies and second year players and decided to completely re-start a team from basically 0. I'm just wondering how many relatively new players you can have developing effectively if there aren't at least a few vets to guide them.

Jrue is probably the best leader in the whole league. As Gentry stated in his presser, no other 6 foot 4 guy in the league is asked to guard the best 6 foot 8 guy on the other team and still get 30 and 8 on a nightly basis. Jrue does the most work in the league bar none. And does he ever show even a sign of frustration? Only because of the AD saga.

What a role model and true, true leader of men

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Originally Posted by AusPel

Jrue is probably the best leader in the whole league. As Gentry stated in his presser, no other 6 foot 4 guy in the league is asked to guard the best 6 foot 8 guy on the other team and still get 30 and 8 on a nightly basis. Jrue does the most work in the league bar none. And does he ever show even a sign of frustration? Only because of the AD saga.

What a role model and true, true leader of men

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Legit. When Jrue retires, I want #11 in the rafters.

#4 in games played for the Pels
#4 in minutes played for the Pels
#2 in assists
#3 in steals
#4 in points
#5 in win shares
#4 in BPM
#4 in VORP

Plus everything he's meant as the heart and soul of this team in so many ways. Absolute champion of a leader, brilliant personality. He's been a great guy, despite facing so much adversity in the face of injury and personal trouble, and he's given the team so many great games, so many great moments, and was part of that Portland sweep that I think I'll remember for a long, long time.

He might just be my favourite NBA guy of all time for the way he approaches his craft on both ends

I'm buying a Holiday Mardi Gras, and maybe a City Edition jersey as well, if I can ever find one.

That being said, Holiday has 2 years (w/ a players option he will likely decline for a 3rd) left on his contract. If we're going into rebuild mode, no player can be untradeable. You're going to get the most value in a Holiday trade now, if you're ever going to trade him. Whoever the new GM is should have a conversation with ownership and Jrue to lay out the plan for this franchise and ask him what he values now, and realistically assess whether the franchise will be in a position to provide him with what he values in 2 years. Whether that's winning titles or franchise player money, we have to be clear what the expectation is and our ability to meet it.

If he's not 100% bought in to the plan and finishing his career as a Pelican, we should consider trading him if we can sell high.

Just imagine Jrue's brain inside Andrew Wiggins' body

You have a top 10 all time guy right there

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Originally Posted by AusPel

Just imagine Jrue's brain inside Andrew Wiggins' body

You have a top 10 all time guy right there

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Jrue's brain

AD's body.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Jrue's brain

AD's body.

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Wait, that's just Tim Duncan.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Wait, that's just Tim Duncan.

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David Robinson?

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Originally Posted by pelicanchamp

If you win the lotto you keep Zion. Trade AD to Knicks for RJ Barret, Knox, Dennis Smith and 2021 1st 2023 1st


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If I could get Tatum, Brown, Smart and 2-3 1st, I would take Boston's deal if I win the lotto and get Zion.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

If I could get Tatum, Brown, Smart and 2-3 1st, I would take Boston's deal if I win the lotto and get Zion.

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Even without winning the lotto, I think that's a solid enough deal. That's 3/5 of the team that made the eastern conference finals. Plus picks. Which may end up sucking to be honest...

Clippers pick: may never be seen. I think in order for us to see it, Clippers have to make playoffs this season or next season. Chances of that happening are less than 50/50 I'd guess.
Kings pick: likely to see that pick this year and it's either very back end of lottery or out of lottery completely.
Grizzlies pick: maybe this year, maybe next year. I find it hard to believe Grizzlies will be that bad two seasons in a row. And even if they are that bad two seasons in a row, that means in 2021, they may be ok and that pick isn't that high.

But at least the Grizzlies pick will have high value in terms of moving up in draft. Can combine two plus our pick and make a huge jump in draft.

As for Jrue, he'll never have a higher value than he does now. But pairing him with Brown and Tatum on the wings I think is pretty enticing in terms of competing immediately. Ultimately, I'd opt to trade him because a) he's at peak value b) i'm always going to be nervous about his past injuries c) he'll play two seasons and then bounce

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Originally Posted by Primetime

As for Jrue, he'll never have a higher value than he does now. But pairing him with Brown and Tatum on the wings I think is pretty enticing in terms of competing immediately. Ultimately, I'd opt to trade him because a) he's at peak value b) i'm always going to be nervous about his past injuries c) he'll play two seasons and then bounce

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Do you honestly think that, if we got Tatum, Brown, Zion, and another high draft pick this year (From packaging firsts together), Jrue would be guaranteed to leave?

We'll be talking about 23 year old Jayson Tatum, 24 year old Jaylen Brown, 21 year old Zion Williamson, plus another high value player. If Zion is even 80% of what he appears to be, that team combined with a 31 year old Jrue will be an easy playoff team, and very possibly a top 4 seed depending on how Tatum and Brown grow. I don't think Jrue walks from that.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Do you honestly think that, if we got Tatum, Brown, Zion, and another high draft pick this year (From packaging firsts together), Jrue would be guaranteed to leave?

We'll be talking about 23 year old Jayson Tatum, 24 year old Jaylen Brown, 21 year old Zion Williamson, plus another high value player. If Zion is even 80% of what he appears to be, that team combined with a 31 year old Jrue will be an easy playoff team, and very possibly a top 4 seed depending on how Tatum and Brown grow. I don't think Jrue walks from that.

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The question I'd have is what kind of player a 31 year old Jrue will be? And what does he cost? At that point we're paying Tatum and Brown as well on their 2nd contracts. Is Tatum/Brown/Zion and a 31 year old Jrue better than Tatum/Brown/Zion and the presumably younger assets and flexibility we'd get from trading Jrue?

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Do you honestly think that, if we got Tatum, Brown, Zion, and another high draft pick this year (From packaging firsts together), Jrue would be guaranteed to leave?

We'll be talking about 23 year old Jayson Tatum, 24 year old Jaylen Brown, 21 year old Zion Williamson, plus another high value player. If Zion is even 80% of what he appears to be, that team combined with a 31 year old Jrue will be an easy playoff team, and very possibly a top 4 seed depending on how Tatum and Brown grow. I don't think Jrue walks from that.

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I didn't make the statement under an assumption we also get Zion. If all that happens, he'll want to stay. But at that point, remember, we're talking about a 31 year old. We just can't give him a big deal. And our guards/wings would include Smart, Brown, Tatum. Zion's also likely to be a wing in NBA. We won't need Jrue. I love the guy, but I ain't paying him as a 31 year old.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

The question I'd have is what kind of player a 31 year old Jrue will be? And what does he cost? At that point we're paying Tatum and Brown as well on their 2nd contracts. Is Tatum/Brown/Zion and a 31 year old Jrue better than Tatum/Brown/Zion and the presumably younger assets and flexibility we'd get from trading Jrue?

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That depends on how you think Tatum/Brown/Zion grow as players with/without an experienced, talented, two way influence to guide them. It's less of an impact on Tatum and Brown who have already grown a little bit with Al Horford who is a similar kind of presence, but I think the difference between Zion at 21 without that good influence who ensures defense is played, versus Zion at 21 with that good, guiding, defensive influence could be fairly significant. Zion is a talented enough player that I think he will work it out anyway, but without Jrue (or a similar player) I could see that taking him until he's 23 or 24, whereas having that guide could easily accelerate that growth.

As a side note, I actually think Jrue will be fine at 31. Injury concerns get mentioned, but he hasn't actually had a serious injury in years and years now. He's missed (if I recall correctly) one game due to illness in the last three seasons. That doesn't concern me much. If he was a player whose game revolved around athleticism and speed, I'd understand the reticence, but Jrue has always been a more cerebral, smooth, patient player than that. That kind of game ages well.

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Originally Posted by Primetime

I didn't make the statement under an assumption we also get Zion. If all that happens, he'll want to stay. But at that point, remember, we're talking about a 31 year old. We just can't give him a big deal. And our guards/wings would include Smart, Brown, Tatum. Zion's also likely to be a wing in NBA. We won't need Jrue. I love the guy, but I ain't paying him as a 31 year old.

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I don't think Jrue will want paying as a 31 year old.

WELL. For given definitions of paying.

He'll want money, sure, he won't take a minimum or anything, but it's important to note that by this point in his career, Jrue will have earned something like $180m total. The money will probably not be his primary concern. If we set up a team that can win, I could easily see Jrue taking the Duncan route of accepting less cash per year to allow the team to succeed around him.

Zion williamson at this very moment is the single most valuable chip in the entire league right now. Even in the last 2 weeks his hype and legend and buzz has grown.

Under no reasonable circumstances are we going to trade Zion if we get lucky and win the lottery. It's just too damn valuable.

It's not just how he may end up being really good by the middle of even his rookie deal that makes him so valuable. It's also the cap number of the rookie deal itself and how insanely marketable he is *right now*.......he's the player fans are most looking forward to seeing next year in the entire league. It goes beyond just wins and losses next year. He isn't being traded.

and no some package of another possible emerging star+ a #3 overall pick wouldnt do it if we got lucky and won the lottery....he's just too valuable from a marketing standpoint and bringing in someone like RJ Barrett + Knox just doesn't make up for that

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

That depends on how you think Tatum/Brown/Zion grow as players with/without an experienced, talented, two way influence to guide them. It's less of an impact on Tatum and Brown who have already grown a little bit with Al Horford who is a similar kind of presence, but I think the difference between Zion at 21 without that good influence who ensures defense is played, versus Zion at 21 with that good, guiding, defensive influence could be fairly significant. Zion is a talented enough player that I think he will work it out anyway, but without Jrue (or a similar player) I could see that taking him until he's 23 or 24, whereas having that guide could easily accelerate that growth.

As a side note, I actually think Jrue will be fine at 31. Injury concerns get mentioned, but he hasn't actually had a serious injury in years and years now. He's missed (if I recall correctly) one game due to illness in the last three seasons. That doesn't concern me much. If he was a player whose game revolved around athleticism and speed, I'd understand the reticence, but Jrue has always been a more cerebral, smooth, patient player than that. That kind of game ages well.

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Lateral quickness doesn't tend to age very well, and that's something Jrue relies on to be an elite defender. If Tatum is the player people think he is, having him and Brown - also a hard worker and leader type - would be sufficient. I think you get diminishing returns on Jrue's leadership if Brown and Tatum ascend and have more playoff experience than Jrue.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

I don't think Jrue will want paying as a 31 year old.

WELL. For given definitions of paying.

He'll want money, sure, he won't take a minimum or anything, but it's important to note that by this point in his career, Jrue will have earned something like $180m total. The money will probably not be his primary concern. If we set up a team that can win, I could easily see Jrue taking the Duncan route of accepting less cash per year to allow the team to succeed around him.

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Under those circumstances, I'd be happy to keep Jrue. But I don't think Jrue will take a penny less than his current deal, and for me that might be too much. I wouldn't actively shop Jrue this summer, but I would listen to any offer that came my way and if the right deal (picks and a prospect) came along, I might pull the trigger. It really just depends on what Jrue wants to do. Can't put yourself in a position where you are overpaying, and can't put yourself in a position where Jrue leaves for nothing or you trade him for less than dollar for dollar value.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Lateral quickness doesn't tend to age very well, and that's something Jrue relies on to be an elite defender. If Tatum is the player people think he is, having him and Brown - also a hard worker and leader type - would be sufficient. I think you get diminishing returns on Jrue's leadership if Brown and Tatum ascend and have more playoff experience than Jrue.



Under those circumstances, I'd be happy to keep Jrue. But I don't think Jrue will take a penny less than his current deal, and for me that might be too much. I wouldn't actively shop Jrue this summer, but I would listen to any offer that came my way and if the right deal (picks and a prospect) came along, I might pull the trigger. It really just depends on what Jrue wants to do. Can't put yourself in a position where you are overpaying, and can't put yourself in a position where Jrue leaves for nothing or you trade him for less than dollar for dollar value.

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If we get in a position where we rely on Jrue to be our primary defender in 3+ years, we have more problems than Jrue's declining athleticism. If we made the Tatum trade, I would expect Tatum to be our best wing defender in several seasons time. In that case, it doesn't matter if Jrue is only, say, 70% of his current self on defense because he'll only be assigned to defend the 2nd or 3rd best opposing offensive player. He won't be required to guard guys 5 inches taller than him anymore.

I can't see Jrue demanding $27m as a 31/32 year old. I agree that if he does, then we'd be in big trouble, but I could easily see him taking something like 4yrs/$45m at that age, if he believes in the direction of the team. And again, if he doesn't believe in the direction of the team at that point, then we have bigger problems.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

If we get in a position where we rely on Jrue to be our primary defender in 3+ years, we have more problems than Jrue's declining athleticism. If we made the Tatum trade, I would expect Tatum to be our best wing defender in several seasons time. In that case, it doesn't matter if Jrue is only, say, 70% of his current self on defense because he'll only be assigned to defend the 2nd or 3rd best opposing offensive player. He won't be required to guard guys 5 inches taller than him anymore.

I can't see Jrue demanding $27m as a 31/32 year old. I agree that if he does, then we'd be in big trouble, but I could easily see him taking something like 4yrs/$45m at that age, if he believes in the direction of the team. And again, if he doesn't believe in the direction of the team at that point, then we have bigger problems.

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If Jrue continues to play at a level that makes him worth keeping, as opposed to selling high, there is no way I see him leaving that much money on the table. He would have earned a contract at least on par with what Conley signed. I don’t think being 2 years older at free agency will translate into that big a discount.