re: Pelicans fans - do you want Zion gone or do you have hope?

Zion is a colossal embarrassment off the court and a non-factor on it because he never plays.

The longer the Pels wait to get rid of him the less they will get in return.

Should have happened already.

The best ability is availability, and Zion ain't got time for that apparently. Gimme Scoot.

I had so high hopes for his character coming in. Top button kind of guy, not all tatted up, surprisingly no earrings. Now he’s junking up nasty 3rd rate porn stars.

GONE.

I’d rather just trade him.

-Injuries
-Atypical body for long term NBA success
-Weird emotional shite/immaturity
-Weight issues

He’s absolutely dominant when he plays but it just seems like there is a lot that will need to be overcome. I just don’t see him becoming more healthy, being a consummate pro, and having a long career.

If the guy was in phenomenal shape and was grinder and just had a few injury breaks it would be one thing, even at his size.

But whenever he gets hurt he blows up like a ballon despite having 9 figures worth of resources. He’s just not a pro.

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This. It's been frustrating but it's not a Greg Oden situation. When he plays, he's probably a top 5 player. I'm terrified it'll be an Embiid situation. You have to see it through to conclusion here, IMO. He's that good. I will say though, if the Blazers offer Scoot, Sharpe, and more, that's probably the only thing I'd be okay with. Still would prefer to keep him though.

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He’s not top 5 when not fat. If Portland makes a dumb deal like that for a player that has pretty much eaten himself out of playing, the NBA should step in, void the trade and force Jody Allen to sell the team.

Not a Pelicans fan but I hope he is gone

I’d rather trade him now. This is probably the last opportunity we have to get decent value.

The timing is perfect as well. Charlotte w new owners possibly wanting to make a splash and Zion would be a great fit w Lamelo. Portland trying to keep Dame and build a winner around him. Scoot Henderson is both a guy that fits the Pels roster and desired culture.

You may never have this many things line up again for a fair Zion trade. If he gets injured again, it’s over. If he stays healthy for a year, we probably will be too good and never have the balls to trade him while his value is higher and even then, you have to find the right package and situation.

What are the odds that another Dame, Scoot level talent available at pick 3 situation will come back up?

There is a 25-30% chance Zion can stay healthy for a year, but I don’t ever see him being consistently healthy enough for the Pels to be a true contender.

Fan base is fairly split in general, seems like 60/40 in favor of keeping him. I am in the majority, but I understand wanting to get rid of him; something I just would have called flat out crazy from the day we drafted him up until the end of last season. To say seeing him play 114 games in 4 seasons has been frustrating would be pretty big understatement.

That being said, in those 114 games he averages 26/7/4 plus a steal on 61% from the field. My optimism for what he could be still beats out my pessimism that he won’t ever be on the court consistently enough for us to win. Those margins are just slimmer than they’ve ever been today.

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When he plays, he's probably a top 5 player.

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Have to disagree with you on this

I’d take a lot of players in the league over Zion