An anonymous general manager says Zion Williamson is already a “top five asset” in the NBA, according to Tom Haberstroh of NBC Sports.
The New Orleans Pelicans won the draft lottery on Tuesday and have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, which is on June 20. The Pelicans are widely expected to take Williamson.
I bring this up because (David) Griffin is now the decision-maker for the Pelicans and might have an even bigger asset on his hands. In addition to inheriting Davis, Griffin won the right to select uber-prospect Zion Williamson. Before Tuesday’s lottery prize went to the Pelicans, I asked another general manager how valuable drafting Williamson is for an NBA franchise.
His response: “A top five asset from Day 1.”
So, in a hypothetical world, if he was a free agent, he’d get the max, right?
“Yes,” the GM told me. “Way, way more than the max … if allowed.”
In his lone season at Duke, Williamson put on an absolute show. The high-flyer averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 68.0 percent from the field, 33.8 percent from beyond the arc and 64.0 percent from the free-throw line.
There hasn't been this much hype surrounding a player since LeBron James. The Pelicans are hoping Williamson carves out a similar career as James.
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