Pelicans get: Wiggins Kuminga Moody 26 1st 28 1st

Warriors get: Zion

Let me say from the get go, this trade is incredibly unlikely . You don't trade guys like Zion normally, especially when he hasn't asked out. But Zion is not your normal franchise #1. The Pelicans have had struggles with Zion over his entire career over his weight and diet habits. He's undeniably a talented player, but he has not been the superstar the Pelicans hoped for. And yet even when he's not playing, the Pelicans are playing well through their real franchise guy, Ingram.

The bet here for New Orleans is that Zion's not going to get any fitter, in fact he'll get worse, and they should sell while they can recoup some good assets for him. He wouldn't command the price like a true 1A star due to his injury, fitness, and motivation concerns, but you can still get good assets from GSW and flip them for a better fit with Ingram.

The Warriors are in a weird place themselves. They're a buyer and they have some assets, with young players and 2 picks; but they would be outbid by the likes of OKC if a legit #1 arrived on the market. But they need to make a move. Getting Zion is a far bigger upgrade than the likes of Siakam, and he might end up cheaper than Lauri (asset wise!)

The bet here is that Golden State thinks their culture can turn Zion around, that pairing him with Steph gets him to buy into fitness and the game since he's surrounded by winning veterans. If Masai wants the first born of every child in the Bay till 2028, and Ainge insists on prima noctus for Markannen, why not bet big on a talent that, if the stars aligned, could be elite, and could just be needing a fresh start and a winning org.