Follow the money.
I remember hearing this statement as a kid and thinking, “boy am I glad this doesn’t apply to sports.” To me, sports were a separate completely separate world from everyday life; a realm that wasn’t centered around status, legacy and money. Obviously, looking back now I realize how naive this sentiment was. I’m now fully aware that sports leagues and individual teams are in fact nothing more than for-profit businesses. So with this newfound knowledge, I do 110% believe that Zion Williamson will in essence find his way to a large market franchise tonight. I don’t doubt for one minute that the NBA will find a way to have the largest box office rookie in league history (not named LeBron James) end up in a Knicks, Bulls or Lakers jersey. Personally, I can’t imagine the league allowing Zion to be drafted by a non-legacy franchise (let’s not pretend like the lottery is really “random”….*cough cough* Cavs having literally beat impossible odds in this decade to win the #1 overall pick in 3 out of 4 years.) With that being said, hear me out as to where Zion should be drafted in order to get the most out of his breathtaking skill set and be poised to be the face of the league for the next two decades: the Atlanta Hawks.
The year is 2027 and the Hawks have just come off winning their first NBA title. They have an all-time fast paced and fan friendly style of offense that allows all of us basketball fans to reminisce on the “make the extra pass” Warriors dynasty from less than a decade ago. They have the scariest tandem in the league in recent memory who truly compliment each other perfectly beyond belief. With a better passing, slightly smaller Steph Curry in Trae Young and a souped up Sir Charles Barkley with a constant motor in Zion, this young core has managed to mesh into the team to beat for the next decade. Their ability to switch everything on defense with Zion and John Collins have allowed them to hide Trae on defense, thus eliminating their biggest potential issue with becoming a dynastic team in my opinion (just look how the Warriors have hid Steph on the defensive side of the ball successfully come the months of April-June.) To me, this is the city where Zion needs to be. His ability to dominate the pop culture scene would still be magnified in Atlanta much like NYC or Chicago, but this franchise would allow him a seamless fit on the court with their current roster. I understand his box office appeal in NYC might allow him to be the single most popular athlete on the planet (this is not hyperbole) but I’d prefer to see him be on a team that would allow him to be him on the court. At the end of the day, I can’t help but fantasize about a fast break that entails either a 30 foot bomb from Trae or backcourt mate Kevin Huerter, or a lob from anywhere on the court to a streaking Zion or John Collins. While I realize it’s fun to think about Zion as a Knick with KD and Irving, the Hawks allow him the best chance to consistently win long term and develop his game under coach Lloyd Pierce the right way. In my opinion, the Hawks are one ping pong ball away from becoming the Golden State Warriors of the East, something I’m selfishly praying for leading into tonight’s draft lottery.