Trade & FA 2023-24: Stein-Ingram Trade Inevitable| LAL Want Lebron Back On Any Terms

[surfpuckmd]

SurfpuckMD…what are your thoughts about Zion? Still some hope there for Pell fans, or are people starting to give up on him? Which would you say is more likely to be moved, Zion or Ingrim?

As one of the league's smallest markets, New Orleans can only acquire superstars through the draft.  CJ McCollum wanted to be traded here but that's about the highest caliber player we'll ever get through free agency or trade request.  Zion is an MVP talent when he's healthy and just a thrill to watch so I can't imagine they'll trade him for at least the next 2 years.  He's frustrating because he doesn't take conditioning seriously but when he's on the court, he's just awesome.  I think he's the most exceptional athlete in the NBA.   Honestly, he's an even better player than I anticipated he would be.   In addition to the speed, power and agility, he's a really capable and willing passer.  He's surprisingly smart on the court.   Any hope of the Pelicans competing for a championship in the next 3 years rests upon his shoulders.

I think Ingram is a good player as well but nowhere near Zion's level.  He missed a lot of games this season for questionable injuries and doesn't really bother playing much defense.  He was great in the playoffs against Phoenix 2 years ago.  I hoped that was the player he would become permanently.  He just doesn't seem to have the same intensity though during the regular season.  He rarely drives to the rim and usually settles on taking contested 17-foot jumpers-  which he hits at a good rate.  He's a good player and his greatest appeal is that he seems to like being a New Orleans Pelican.  A lot the young players here seem to have a really strong bond.   They've created a family atmosphere with Willie Green as the coach and CJ McCollum as the fun uncle and it's a really likeable team even when they're not super competitive.

I think it's unlikely they'll trade either player unless the player requests a trade.  As NBA players have more control over their destination, I think the Pelicans realize we should keep what we get.