An Underwhelming Zion Trade Idea...

I'm getting the feeling that any trade offers we get for Zion aren't going to be very enticing.

The obvious answer to that is just to keep him. He's very good. But I think we are one more Zion injury away from his value evaporating. Plus, longterm, I'm still not convinced Z can ever play a full regular season + several intense post-season rounds and lead the Pels to a conference championship or a chip.

Should the Pels consider hedging that risk even if it means taking a lesser deal this offseason?

For example, this trade isn't exciting but it might be realistic:

Hornets: Zion

Pels: Miles Bridges, Josh Green, 2025 1st (4th overall), 2026 2nd, 2027 1st.

Pels come out with a useful player (Bridges) a solid back up, the 4th and 7th round picks in this year's draft, a second next year and another first in '27.

Let's say that lets you come out of this draft with VJ Edgecombe and Derik Queen (or Tre Johnson and Khaman Maluach). Or maybe you can package 4&7 and trade up with Spurs for 2nd pick and Dylan Harper.

It's not a great package for what Zion could be, but it is a reasonable jump start to a rebuild and leaves a team that is still a playoff contender with CJ/Herb/Trey/Brides/Missi starting and Jose//VJ/Boston/Queen/Olynek as second five, with DeJounte in the wings.

Again, I don't love it as a trade but I think it's closer to what we are going to see in terms of offers and one you might you wish you'd taken if you hit mid-season with Zion out again for another long stretch...