Zion Williamson allegedly left agent over desire to be a Knick

[Real Men Wear Green]

So how does this one happen? (https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/news/zion-williamsons-agent-breakup-linked-new-york-knicks)

Williamson's contract isn't guaranteed. He can be cut any season, any half-season even. As team-friendly a max contract is there is. I don't think we've seen a player with a max like his try and force his way to a specific destination before.

Because his deal can be treated as a way out of a max deal for any team that wants to get out of player(s) they're sick of as well as a potential superstar so the knicks are going to have to do better than just matching the money and tossing in some picks.


Assuming Brunson is off the table I don't see it happening but the possible cornerstones are Mikal Bridges, OG Anonuby and KAT. Any attempt to lump together a bunch of roleplayers would leave the knicks with a 5 man roster. Setting aside my personal bias I guess the Pelicans would do well to move him for Towns. But if the Knicks do that they can't even pretend to have a center. The other two are way too little too get back in value.

So I don't see how Williamson gets his wish. Nor sure he thought this one through.

[Neal Romer]

I dont think Zion makes these decisions, his step father seems to be pulling the strings. I remember a story about how his family asked New Orleans to front some of Zion's upcoming salary after the step dad made some investments that didnt pay off or whatever with Zion's earlier paychecks. These are not exact details so I dont want to be sued for libel but it was definitely something along those lines. The article didnt paint a healthy picture of Zion's finances or suggest he has much autonomy over his career.

Zion himself is kinda shy and doesnt strike me as a guy who would force his way to the big apple. Step dad might be looking at the earnings potential for local endorsements up there and deciding thats where Zion should be.

[John8204]

The Pelican's are the 76ers of the West...Zion knows winning a title in New York changes everything for him

[Phoenix]

He'd get crucified by the NYC media.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Having thought about it further, maybe he's mad at the agency for convincing him to sign that deal? Not where he wants to be and the team has a lot more control than they would normally.