Hot take - Zion Williamson future NBA bust

RU-ROCS

All-American
Feb 5, 2003
12,500
7,749
113
I think he’s doing this on purpose. The kid really doesn’t want to be in NO and wants to play for the Knicks. I will be the first to tell you. Knicks will have RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish and Zion Williams starting for the in 2024.

I don't know about that. I heard he loves NOLA for the beignets!
 
Oct 19, 2010
210,250
31,766
48
I've seen zero minutes of Duke this year.
Just 2 highlights on Sportscenter.

All I know:
6'7" (maybe shorter since teams usually inflate height?)
285lbs

Not happening.
Don't care how "athletic" everyone says he is.

Okay - now fill me in on how he actually is going to be that good and I have to start watching Duke.
Rich man's Barkley?
Can he shoot at all?

Good prediction.
 

RUInsanityToo

All-American
May 5, 2006
9,599
9,957
113
As a Nets fan, the thought of the Knicks paying Randle $30m, RJ $40+m and Zion $40+m all on the same team makes me very happy.

Nice attempt at trolling Knicks fans but......

  • Randle if not traded will be a Knick only through '25-'26 season (player option)
  • With less than 6 years in the NBA RJ's next contract cannot be a supermax - he can likely only make up to ~$30+ M
  • Same rules will apply to Zion. With that said, assuming Zion can even get healthy / lose weight - the only way he can get to the Knicks is via a sign-trade, if he leave significant money on the table instead of extending with NO or if he sucks and NO does not extend a Qualifying Offer and lets him become a free agent - in which case he would come at a much lower salary. So at the most you are looking at $30M range for all three for just 2 seasons.
If I were a Nets fan, I might begin to worry about the Harden, Irving and Mills player options after this season. A 38 year old Durant taking up $55M of cap space in the 25-26 season with no other superstars could be troubling.
 

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,394
13,248
113
Nice attempt at trolling Knicks fans but......

  • Randle if not traded will be a Knick only through '25-'26 season (player option)
  • With less than 6 years in the NBA RJ's next contract cannot be a supermax - he can likely only make up to ~$30+ M
  • Same rules will apply to Zion. With that said, assuming Zion can even get healthy / lose weight - the only way he can get to the Knicks is via a sign-trade, if he leave significant money on the table instead of extending with NO or if he sucks and NO does not extend a Qualifying Offer and lets him become a free agent - in which case he would come at a much lower salary. So at the most you are looking at $30M range for all three for just 2 seasons.
If I were a Nets fan, I might begin to worry about the Harden, Irving and Mills player options after this season. A 38 year old Durant taking up $55M of cap space in the 25-26 season with no other superstars could be troubling.

Oh jeez. Again with this "Nets are in trouble" thing from Knicks fans.
First it was "only built for 2 years then nobody is under contract"
Now it's "well nobody besides Durant is under contract".

If Harden/Irving/Mills (funny that now he is part of the conversation - proof the FO recognizes how to supplement the team) all leave then the Nets will have a ton of cap space and ability to sign FA.
Pretty sure having KD under contract is just a little attractive for another superstar if Harden/Irving/Mills leave.

Lets look at 25-26:
Nets - KD for $55M "with no other superstars could be trouble"
Knicks - Randle for $32M(player option) and "no other superstars could be troubling"

If I were a Knicks fan I might begin to worry about maxing out RJ and having their superstars be Randle/RJ being their Big 2 (and Fournier) for the next couple of years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PatrickRU92

RUInsanityToo

All-American
May 5, 2006
9,599
9,957
113
Oh jeez. Again with this "Nets are in trouble" thing from Knicks fans.
First it was "only built for 2 years then nobody is under contract"
Now it's "well nobody besides Durant is under contract".

If Harden/Irving/Mills (funny that now he is part of the conversation - proof the FO recognizes how to supplement the team) all leave then the Nets will have a ton of cap space and ability to sign FA.
Pretty sure having KD under contract is just a little attractive for another superstar if Harden/Irving/Mills leave.

Lets look at 25-26:
Nets - KD for $55M "with no other superstars could be trouble"
Knicks - Randle for $32M(player option) and "no other superstars could be troubling"

If I were a Knicks fan I might begin to worry about maxing out RJ and having their superstars be Randle/RJ being their Big 2 (and Fournier) for the next couple of years.

First, you're puposely misdirecting detractors comments about the Nets Big 3. The argument was that with the injuries, there would really be only a 2 year window. With the fact that they've actually only played less than 20 games together so far supports this as does the current state with potential options for Kyrie and Harden. Also, you mention that other superstars would line up to play with KD should the other 2 leave. Have you even looked at the lackluster UFA class for 2022?

Further point was that if you're going to make overt salary related shots at the Knicks at the very least get your cap hits right. Also RJ Barrett is on a rookie scale contract through next season even if they extend him. Fournier only has 2 more years guaranteed....so I'm not clear on how you are laying this out as Barrett really wont hit max until Fournier has one year remaining and a team option.

Mills is part of the conversation because the Nets will vave no viable PG if they leave.

You conveniently forgot to add that KD will be 38 in the '25 season and Randle will be 31.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NickRU714

bitnez

All-American
Jan 18, 2006
6,732
7,726
113
Funny how Nets fans are starting to realize they squandered the best collection of offensive talent in the history of the NBA. This experiment has failed thus far so go win your title your this year like you were supposed to and don’t worry about the Knicks. But, I get it, you have zero confidence the Nets are going to win it this year . You’re not alone. Ha.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NickRU714
The Knight Report

Latest

  1. 01 The Knight Report Greg Schiano talks Rutgers / Michigan week + Basketball Practice Recap - TKR Pod
  2. 02 The Knight Report Join The Knight Report TODAY and get it for 60% off!
  3. 03 The Knight Report Rutgers Football HC Greg Schiano talks Michigan game week
  4. 04 The Knight Report Everyone’s Best Day: Inside the Big Ten’s Worst Defense, the Sequel
  5. 05 The Knight Report Football ESPN FPI projects Rutgers Football's 2026 schedule - Week Nine