OT(?): Pelicans win NBA Draft Lottery
Shockingly, Cleveland did not win.
So the only possible reason that would make JB's decision to jump ship to Dan fucking Gilbert outside of "wanting the challenge" is now gone.
There's a good chance that nice guys will (literally) finish last next year in the NBA standings.
Zion looked less than thrilled with the Pelicans winning the lottery
He could end up with a pretty great young team around him though. AD will fetch a nice price.
Any chance AD decides to stay in NO now?
Not a chance. He will be in LA next year and the Pelicans should accept nothing less than a deal that includes Ingram, Kuzma, and the #4 pick (maybe Lonzo too). Pelicans could have Ingram, Kuzma, Zion and DeAndre Hunter. I’d say that’s worth trading a guy who will undoubtedly leave in a year.
Qmatic - I have no idea if you know what the hell you are talking about here. But it sure sounds impressive.
Will he? If he’s staying he’s only gonna sign an extension with x amount of teams or he’ll just walk into FA kills some of his value.
Even more shocking, the Knicks didn't win the lottery. I expected shenanigans
Yeah, that was definitely where I thought things were headed. Cam Reddish in NYC baby!
RJ Barrett*
Were there Shenanigans?
The logo for the pelicans being in the top 4 popped up on ESPN before the card was completely opened and revealed.
At least that’s what it looked like.
The league told the Pelicans ownership to trade AD this summer. In return they were given Zion.
Please - have we not had enough "collusion" talk for the last 2 years...
The live feed is on a delay, but the graphics ESPN posts are not. Or there's a conspiracy. Not sure which.
Probably told the TV production team the order just before airing so they could prepare their graphics.
Oh man, that was a good laugh. Seeing the Knicks tank, only to miss out on the #1 pick! The papers here are going crazy, already... amazing!
Little Jimmy Dolan has forever cursed the Knicks! Thankfully, he rarely touches the Rangers.
Knicks had the same odds as Suns and Cavs, definitely could be much worse. With #3 they still get JT Barrett.
They’ll screw up the pick, they are the New York Knickerbockers, after all!
That would be awesome for JT to be drafted in the NBA a year after he went undrafted by the NFL. Still short, though.
If they get JT Barrett they are screwed. Guy can only run.
Knicks and Lakers taking big Ls.
Zion is just going to straight replace AD. Lucky fans down in NO.
Lakers moved way up in the draft. I don't really think they took a big L.
Not really any game changers beyond the top 3 picks.
Still doesn’t change the fact that a team that finished with the 11th-worst record getting the 4th pick isn’t a “big L.”
Having to put up with obnoxious ass Knicks and Lakers fans who think that they’re getting Zion and every FA in the offseason is annoying enough every year. I’ll take this as a W
The Lakers are going to win the title next season. Sorry to break that to you. Durant will leave the warriors. And the Lakers will add two All Stars (maybe even super stars) to pair with Lebron. This #4 pick could even be traded now.
Lol yeah okay.
Might as well just stop the draft after 3 picks then, right?
while there will be a few that excel in the NBA beyond expectations, i have to say i had the same exact though yesterday looking at the top 100 guys in the draft. After the big 3, this draft is absolutely horrible. This appears to be an extremely weak draft that is top heavy.
Also, for a team that wants to trade for AD, a big fat asset like a top 3 pick is a big tool to use.
It wasn't unreasonable to think that New Orleans might wind up with the #1 pick as a part of the AD trade. Now they could wind up with two top picks if they want, or just the 1 and a suite of quality players.
Zion replaces AD?!?! You can't actually be serious.
Am I the only person that wonders what Zion will even do in the pros?! He doesn't have a natural position. He's not big enough to play down low; and, his outside shot was good in college but seriously lacks a pro consistency.
I think Zion will be a complete bust. I don't wish ill will toward him by any means, but I just find the ESPN slop fest around him to be unfortunate. I bet Morat has a better NBA career.
Zion should've played football. As a tight end, he would've been unstoppable.
Then the Lions would draft him in the first round.
Too soon
Twice.
Anthony Bennett 2.0.
NOP should take Ja and see if AD changes his mind.
Maaaaan, I'm glad im not the only one who thinks this. He's dominated every level because of his athleticism, not talent. Guess what, everyone in the nba is athletic. He can't consistently hit the 3, nor does he have the handles to break down a defense. He can dunk, but shit, so could i. Before i knew who ja morant was, i always thought rj barrett should be the #1 pick. But now, if im NOLA, i take ja and let Zion be average somewhere else. Don't get me wrong, i don't think he's a bust, he'll have a solid nba career for 6 or 7 years, but he's not generational talent.
He could be generational, but not right away. He's 18 YO. He needs to develop his shot and some moves and will do so, if he works. His athleticism will help him succeed. Hey, it took Michael Jordan a few years before he became other-worldly
I love Beilein but still believe you should be careful what you wish for. Fuck, this whole thing stings.
Interesting comments from Beilein tonight
https://twitter.com/orion_sang/status/1128475971521327105
The comments from Stevens don't sound like a guy open to college
He's the head coach of the Boston Celtics with a cold seat. Why his name has been getting thrown around as a serious contender is beyond me
My favorite quote (when divorced from Beilein's intentions) was his remark on Dan Gilbert:
"I didn't know him at all. Michigan State guy."
Those two things usually go together.
Yeah, the move makes no sense. Cleveland will just be in no position for success the entire time he is there.
It’s all about money though right? Make the most you can while you still can? Right guys? Right? Screw chasing the almighty dollar IMO, more to life...
I think the general consensus is that Cleveland is the biggest loser in the draft and rebuilding is going to take some time. Ouch.
Beilein will have gone from competing for championships to hoping to scrape into the playoffs while working for an owner who loves having control and fires his employees on a whim.
He's definitely gonna love it.
Welcome to the NBA.
Somehow, I don't think Beilein was calculating his chances of landing Zion when he took the job.
Suns are worse losers they also had a 14% chance and ended up with the 6th pick.
Atlanta didn’t do so hot either.
However if if you take into account the talent on the roster then yeah Beilein is in for it. Other than Sexton, the Cavs roster screams 15 wins tops for the next 2-3 years. I guess he wants that challenge with or without Ja Morant/Zion
Little downside for JB...who cares if they dont do shit in his tenure, he is going to be working less than when he was here, has an off season, and lets say Danny boy fires him....ok well bye, going to play golf now