Hypothetical NBA trades can be controversial. If you don’t like them, you should look at another section of our website. Otherwise, stick around – there’s a lot for you to look at around here.
Some people hate hypothetical trade pieces. Fair enough. If you read a proposal and you feel that your team is being shorted, you’ll be aggravated. Your day is ruined. All you can think about is “why would we trade Player X for scraps?”.
Recently, some fans of the New Orleans Pelicans fans may be feeling that way. We don’t wish to speak poorly of a fellow hypothetical trade writer: sometimes, we all get them wrong. With that said, a prominent publication recently had the Pelicans trading Zion Williamson to the Detroit Pistons for a fairly modest return. Here’s how we think it would work.
The Trade Proposal
New Orleans Pelicans receive: F Bojan Bogdanovic, G/F Joe Harris, 2026 First-Round Pick (DET), 2028 First-Round Pick (DET), 2030 First-Round Pick (DET)
Detroit Pistons receive: F Zion Williamson
In fact, constructing fake NBA trades isn’t as easy as you might think. There are a lot of factors to consider. The league’s market is always evolving, and as a result, it’s difficult to pinpoint any player’s value.
Often, it comes down to draft capital. How many first-round picks is a player worth? Does the market dictate the number? Rudy Gobert netted the Utah Jazz four unprotected first-round picks. Does that set a new market? Or, should we account for a likely readjustment?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans & Detroit Pistons Updates
Moreover: what’s Williamson’s trade value? When healthy, he’s looked like an MVP candidate. If Williamson wasn’t so injury-prone, he may be worth six or seven unprotected firsts. Unfortunately, he’s among the most injury-prone players in the NBA. Should the Pistons take a risk on him anyway?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
What did we just say? When healthy, Williamson has appeared to be an MVP candidate. That’s a fact. Williamson’s ability to get to the rim is practically unparalleled. He’s a walking paint touch with solid passing vision who can also dominate the glass.
He’s Zion Williamson. Is he a risk? Absolutely. In fact, he’s a massive one. Williamson may never be able to get his body right. There is a distinct possibility that Williamson is regarded as one of the most disappointing players in NBA history.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans & Detroit Pistons Updates
We understand all of that. We still think the Pistons should take this risk if it’s available. This deal would give them arguably the most talented young core in the NBA. With Williamson, Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Ausar Thompson, the Pistons would have a preposterous amount of young talent to work with. Should the Pelicans put them in that position?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
This is another difficult aspect of writing hypothetical trades. You’ve got to justify them for both sides. Sometimes, one side’s justification is the opposite of the other side’s.
Williamson is a risk. He may never stay healthy. We said the Pistons should overlook these concerns. Now, they’re the reasons why the Pelicans should trade Williamson. Such is the nature of reality. Things aren’t black and white. Meanwhile, Williamson is among the most complicated players in the NBA.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans & Detroit Pistons Updates
If the Pelicans are tired of waiting on his body, we couldn’t blame them. This would be a good return for Williamson if so. The addition of elite floor spacing in Bogdanovic and Harris will help them stay relevant. Meanwhile, they’d be adding to one of the best collections of draft capital in the league. Eventually, they could use it to trade for another star – hypothetically, that is.
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