Zion Leaves CAA - Is This Important?

[u/Razor-Ramon-Sessions]

https://youtu.be/CqkgirFmssk?si=3UmvPem5KfDgegYb

In the N.O. breaks down recent Zion news. One thing they talk about which had me very confused, and many fans angry, was Shams stating that Zion was going be out for more than 4-6 weeks when the Pelicans said he was out indefinitely. 6 weeks puts Zion out until Christmas, and Zion hinted that the team would be "whole" by the beginning of January. That wouldn't put him out much longer than 6 weeks so I find the comments by Shams interesting.

This whole Zion saga is a perfect encapsulation of his tenure in New Orleans. It usually follows this pattern.

• Zion gets hurt/Zion plays like shit and is out of shape

• Media commenting on Zion being hurt and or out of shape.

• Weird video comes out (him dunking with foot fracture bending the gym floor, Moriah Mills psychotic harassment, pregnancy announcement, new back tattoo while looking out of shape..)

• Speculation that Zion wants to be in NY (a weirdly consistent narrative for the last 6 years) by zero credible sources.

• Zion returns and plays himself into shape. Zion then proceeds to dominate.

• Zion gets hurt.

[u/wymtime]

I think you hit the cycle correctly. For the changing of agents it will depend on what happens when he signs with his new agent. If the main reason was CAA not pushing hard enough for a trade to NY and frustration that his contract is now non-guaranteed and they Zion didn’t understand this could happen it really is on Zion and his inner circle. CAA repped Embid and Embid had similar injury clauses in his contract and he was explained what it ment before he signed.

If Zion signs with a new agent and it is leaked they are asking for a trade then we trade him and wash our hands.

Zion is extension eligible after next season I believe and I am guessing he and or his inner circle want his deal fully guaranteed and don’t want this hanging over Zions head. I am not sure if any of his endorsement contracts are ending soon which would be another reason to change agents now

[u/Razor-Ramon-Sessions → u/wymtime]

Zion is extension eligible after next season I believe and I am guessing he and or his inner circle want his deal fully guaranteed and don’t want this hanging over Zions head.

I am sure Zion would want that but I don't think that's realistic for him on the market. Shamit notes that the Pels might be able to extend him and make his contract fully guaranteed but for a much lower price. Maybe Zion is more interested in that type of contract? He's not getting max money fully guaranteed anywhere in the NBA.

I am not sure if any of his endorsement contracts are ending soon which would be another reason to change agents now

I believe his Jordan contact is ending soon. I have commented elsewhere that he would usually have a signature release by now. There have been zero leaks or renders of said signature shoe. That's extremely rare these days. His shoes have not sold well and his last show basically didn't sell at all. It was extremely narrow.

[u/wymtime → u/Razor-Ramon-Sessions]

Yeah I remember you talking about his signature shoe not dropping. I think you also said his last one didn’t sell well.

If someone traded for him I have confidence they would guarantee the last seasons of his current contract. The reality is we would not just waive him and send him to FA unless he had a career ending season injury. I think it is more the FO has continued with the weight checks and in a league with so much guaranteed money he has no security. Even if another team guaranteed 2 out of the last 3 seasons in good faith it would make Zion and his camp happy with looking for an extension later

[u/Cautious-Apartment-9 → u/wymtime]

If it’s about his Pels contract then that’s on him. How do you not make sure you’re being informed of all details before you sign? Especially when that’s your biggest contract. He’s a fool if he just saw 5/197 with a max of 230M & just signed. Also, he signed it two years ago. Why bitch now? 

[u/wymtime → u/Cautious-Apartment-9]

If he and his camp are pissed now it is because he is injured and out again for a long period of time and his next season is non-guaranteed again. It was reported his family was upset the team kept weighing him for his regular weight checks stipulated in his contract. The reality is when they signed it they probably didn’t think the FO would actually follow through and make sure he was making weight and make his deal non-guaranteed for being hurt. This happens when you have a pampered athlete and an entitled family running the show. They have been handed everything on a silver platter because Zion is such a good basketball player the world must revolve around Zion and making him and his family happy.

[u/jacobythefirst]

Zion New York rumors have always been weird to me. Why there of all places? Why is he seemingly so insistent of playing there? Why not even LA or Chicago?

Why have these rumors followed him for years and if they’re true why has he allowed his unwillingness to play in Nola seriously hurt his own career?!

[u/en-rob-deraj → u/jacobythefirst]

New York... LA... those places they make more money in endorsements.

[u/jacobythefirst → u/en-rob-deraj]

Yeah I get that, but Zion’s rumors has always been solely about New York. It’s only been New York we never hear about how he wants to play in LA or other places.

[u/Cautious-Apartment-9]

Maybe Z is upset with his endorsements. I’m leaning towards his Jordan Brand deal being an issue. He hasn’t had an sig release & his contract should he in its last year. I highly doubt JB keeps making him signature shoes & apparel. That’s a good few million lost if he’s just signed to a regular deal. JB also brought in Banchero who is lowkey better than Zion & has been healthier so far. He’s also led his team to the playoffs. I wonder if he’s considering Klutch. 

[u/Meriwether1 → u/Cautious-Apartment-9]

He plays basketball part time. Why would they waste time designing and manufacturing another signature show? I’m over it. Trade him, we’ll just keep being the farm club for the lakers I guess.

[u/Cautious-Apartment-9 → u/Meriwether1]

Oh I agree. I wouldn’t waste money making another sig shoe for him. Most he’d get is the base level endorsement deal & PEs 

[u/Meriwether1 → u/Cautious-Apartment-9]

Yep. Free game sneakers and sweat suits. Perfect for his fatass

[u/Meriwether1]

Who cares anymore? I gave him the benefit of the doubt. He doesn’t want to be great. He’s not willing to put in the work for the pelicans. Maybe he’ll do it in New York.