I think Magic fans are going to hate this because they wildly overrate Franz… and the Zion concerns are significant but the idea of combining two potentially generational stars into one frontcourt, Paolo and Zion together is sort of mind-breaking.
MAGIC 2023-2024 ROSTER
Fultz
Suggs
Paolo
Zion
Carter Jr
Bench: Isaac, Bol, Harris, M. Wagner, Bitadze
why the Magic do it?
like I said, if Zion can stay on the floor, this is a generational frontcourt, they immediately become a force in the east and a probable playoff team now, while still having plenty of years and assets to build a championship team around Paolo (20) and Zion (22)… Paizon…? Zaolo?…
sell high and early on Franz, clear out the backcourt touches jam by sending out Cole Anthony and give up the two firsts to buy low the whale that is Zion…
PELICANS 2023-2024 ROSTER
McCollum
Herb Jones
Ingram
Franz
Valanciunas
BENCH: Cole Anthony, Dyson Daniels, Trey Murphy, Jose Alvarado, Naji Marshall, Larry Nance, #6, #11, #14
you get Zion out of town before it turns ugly, for what may not be a generational haul, but a warchest of assets for when the time is right… you get Franz who, presumably, can stay on the court, something Zion has not proven he can do. he’ll be a good fit with Ingram and the young core of guys you have. Cole Anthony is an asset and a solid piece off the bench. and you get to take THREE hacks in the lottery this year, which, for a team that has drafted excellently is an incredible opportunity.
this is a VERY deep roster - with a solid top end core - that is in prime position to use their assets to go and get the next superstar that becomes available, maybe a guy like KAT or even Luka… in a year or two… I would say Lillard as well but putting him and McCollum together again is too much to bear lol.
I’m not a fan of either team but I like it reasonably for both sides. could Zion fetch more? maybe. is it too early to break up Franz and Paolo? are you risking it all for a guy who can’t stay on the court and be out of the league in a few years? maybe.
what do you guys think? who says no?