https://www.theringer.com/2022/4/22/23036412/new-orleans-pelicans-zion-williamson-nba-playoffs You are not going to convince me we did t have leverage in the CJ trade. Cronin could have pushed for more but didn’t.
Step 1. Portland wins the lottery. Step 2. Zion wants out of New Orleans. He realizes that franchise bites and CJ will pound the air out of the ball. Zion rehabbed in Portland and sees the path through Nike. Dame is light years of coolness beyond CJ. Step 3. Portland sends Jabari Smith to the Pelicans and gets their suddenly healthy and lower weight 2nd superstar in Zion. Profit.