1) NBA Trades: Zion Williamson is traded to the Spurs in mock deal with the Pelicans.
With us already covering New Orleans Pelican star Brandon Ingram, why not throw in his teammate and fellow star Zion Williamson? Zion has only played a few games this season, and it seems that he is not long for the Pelicans, given that his contract is no longer fully guaranteed after he failed to meet the minimum games played requirement.
Nevertheless, it seems that they may continue to hold on to him even though they seem more willing than they were before to entertain offers to trade him. The Spurs should at least register some interest in acquiring him given his ceiling as a superstar and his relatively low trade value at the moment.
Of course, acquiring him would also incur the chance that he doesn't ultimately play much for San Antonio. But that is a potentially worthwhile gamble if he were able to stay healthy and commit to his conditioning, which could help him stay on the court. So what should San Antonio offer the Pelicans for Zion? They could package Zach Collins, Keldon Johnson, Chicago's 2025 first, and another first for Zion.
That would be a fascinating trade considering that it is simultaneously too little for a player of Zion's caliber while also technically being too much too. Giving up two rotation players and two first-round picks for a player who has missed more than half of his career games in the first 6 years of his career seems like an awful idea. But it could end up being a home run move for San Antonio if Zion is able to thrive in a different environment.
His theoretical fit with Wembanyama would be off the charts, with Wembanyama's strengths as a stretch five who can also protect the rim offsetting Zion's weaknesses. Having a 6'6 power forward who can't shoot from outside and is a questionable defensive player makes him hard to build around even if he was healthy.
But if he were to play alongside Wembanyama, then suddenly those flaws would be hidden. Wembanyama has emerged as a high-volume 3-point shooter, launching 9.4 3-point attempts per game while shooting above league average.
That is in addition to him averaging nearly four assists and a league-leading 3.9 blocks per game. Put just about any power forward next to him, and he would make them look competent. As for what a healthy Zion would bring to the Spurs, he'd give them a bruising forward who can attack the basket off the dribble and finish hard at the rim.
He often ranks as one of the most efficient offensive players, given his prowess near the basket, but he is also a talented passer who could thrive running some pick-and-rolls or pick-and-pops with Wembanyama. Although his fit with Wembanyama would be top-notch, and likely even Paul, were they to ever play together, he probably wouldn't be able to play much next to Sochan.
After all, neither are an offensive threat outside of the paint. Nevertheless, if the Spurs could somehow buy low and end up rehabbing Zion into his peak form, then pursuing him would well be worth it for San Antonio.