This season has been anything but for the Big Easy. They entered the season with hopes of being outside playoff contenders. But fast forward to April- they ended 21-61, one of four 60-loss teams in the NBA this year. Injuries have been their Achilles’ heel, with Zion Williamson being the poster boy of regular hospital attendees. And to top it all off- their director of basketball operations, David Griffin, has been fired. This has begun the silly season at New Orleans- apparently, Zion and HC Willie Green are linked to a move away. So let’s break it down.
None of these decisions will be confirmed without a new director at the helm. They’re without one for the first time in six years, so they will be looking closely at a competent basketball brain to take them on the ascendency. Willie Green is still their manager, and his fate will be decided by the new director. But the silly season puts a spotlight on the players more than the manager. You know what this means- we gotta have a talk about Zion Williamson.
Zanos’ season has been a mixed bag for sure. On the court, his box numbers are literally box office. But it’s only come across 30 games. Who knows what would’ve happened to the Pelicans and their star man’s averages of 24.6/7.2/5.3 if he played at least 60 of them. Turns out his body just didn’t want to find out that outcome, and now their star forward could be on the way out. His return to the Smoothie King Center next season will be interesting to see if the rumors do pan out. But which team will he don?
Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The first team on the list is the Grizzlies. Their over-reliance on Ja Morant has let them down this season. Memphis were aiming for a home court advantage at the playoffs just two months ago. But now? They gotta get it done via the play-ins, against the Warriors. Ja’s injuries speak for themselves. So getting in Zion will be the perfect aid to their attacking front. He’s still young, and will fit into the system seamlessly. Can you imagine seeing the trio of Morant, Williamson, and Jaren Jackson Jr. terrorising enemy rims next season? Just thinking about it would get the NBA giddy with excitement.
Zion’s role next season should and will be to be the co-star in a team. His injuries have made it clear that he can’t be relied upon as the sole point-getter. So who better to snap him up than the Timberwolves? Anthony Edwards desperately needs another reliable scorer- and Zion can do that undoubtedly if not for his injuries. Williamson would fill that hole in a big way, even though he is a big gamble.
And last but definetely not the least- we have the Detroit Pistons. Their resurgence this season needs to be studied. After an NBA-worst 14-68 last season, they’ve suddenly made the playoffs after a blistering end to the season. And Cade Cunningham has been the forefront of it all. He’s just like the Ant Man at Wolves- in desperate need of a co-star who’s a reliable point-getter. Deja vu much? Cunningham and Zion could be ripping it up next season, and who knows- they could win their third ring in double-quick time.
All these are just rumours though. The main story still hinders on the firing of David Griffin. But this move could have more implications than Zion Williamson and Willie Green’s futures.
This is a developing story…
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