From genius to abandoned son! Zion or Morant, who has greater transaction value?

Looking back at the 2019 draft, it can be called a feast of talent.

Garland, the fifth pick, and Tyler Herro, the 13th pick, have grown into stars. Barrett, Coby White, and Cam Johnson, who are in the lottery range, have also played their careers; even outside the lottery, Poole, Claxton, Gafford and others have also become the team's core rotation.

However, when we look back at this new generation, the truly intriguing ones are the top pick and the second pick.

Being in the wealthy Duke, Zion has still become the darling of the country with his explosive talent; Morant, as the explosive guard of Murray State University, also led the team to the second round of the NCAA.

When Zion put on the Pelicans jersey and Morant joined the Grizzlies, both were given hope for the team. But the reality is ruthless. Looking back at their careers now, what they are left with is more disappointment and confusion.

Since entering the league, Zion has never really proven his health. This has always been the Sword of Damocles hanging above his head. As for Morant, although his talent is amazing, injuries and off-field problems also make his attendance difficult to stabilize. He has been suspended many times due to disciplinary issues before.

Recently, the two appeared in discussions again. Zion is out due to a thigh injury, and his efforts to lose weight during the offseason are increasingly in vain. What's even more surprising is that once he was absent, the Pelicans, who had lost consecutive games, scored a short-term victory.

Morant is even worse. Just a few weeks into the new season, he had a conflict with his coach. In the game against the Lakers at the beginning of the month, he was running all over the court in the first half, but suddenly disappeared in the second half. After the game, he even publicly vented to the media and was eventually suspended. Although he returned to the game after his comeback, his condition was also in a sluggish state.

From a team-building perspective, the Pelicans and Grizzlies' team-building plans around these two young stars seem to have reached a point where they must press a pause.

Looking at the trading market, Zion and Morant are still scarce assets.

But from the perspective of player attendance rate, Morant is more stable. He played 307 games in the first six years of his career, an average of 51 games per season; Zion missed too many due to injuries, playing only 214 of 492 potential games. In the 2021-22 season, he was reimbursed for the entire season due to a foot injury. In the first six seasons, he played more than 30 games in only two years.

If you compare the team's record, Morant also has an advantage.

The Grizzlies had a total record of 181 wins and 134 losses when he played, and reached the playoffs three times. In 2022, they finished second in the regular season with 56 wins and successfully reached the semifinals. Zion is slightly inferior. The Pelicans have only entered the playoffs twice and have never won more than 50 games in the regular season. In the only year of the playoffs, Zion missed the playoffs due to injury.

Looking at the personal data, there is not much difference between the two.

Zion averaged 24.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game; Morant averaged 22.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. It's just that the two have different playing styles. Zion's advantage lies in driving straight to the basket to kill, while Morant's advantage lies in ball control and speed, creating offensive opportunities for himself and his teammates.

From the perspective of adaptability to modern basketball, both of them have their own shortcomings. Morant lacks stable outside shooting, and Zion also lacks long-range shooting ability in addition to killing at the basket.

From a contract perspective, both of them signed five-year rookie maximum salary contracts in 2022. However, Zion's contract guarantee relies on attendance and physical control, and Morant's contract has an additional 15% trade compensation, which are additional conditions that need to be considered in trade discussions.

If we want to discuss the comparison of advantages, Zion may have a slight advantage.

Power forwards in the league are still relatively scarce at the moment, which also makes him irreplaceable; in comparison, he does not need to hold the ball like Morant to exert his value in the game, and he has no off-court troubles. The overall discipline is better, and after successful weight loss, at least it gives people more expectations to get back on track.

From the perspective of adaptability to the style of play, Zion is also easier to integrate into the team's new system. However, Morant's ball-holding attributes and out-of-control behavior off the court have actually limited his adaptability.

After six seasons, both Zion and Morant have reached a crossroads in their careers, and they also need a new start. Looking at the current league, Zion's transaction value seems to be higher, and it is easier to attract other teams to extend an olive branch. If health conditions are under control, the future is still full of possibilities.

As for Morant, although his talent is amazing, injuries and disciplinary issues are difficult to be optimistic about.

The No. 1 pick and the No. 2 pick are now at a turning point. The next choice will directly determine whether they can return to the past and usher in a new chapter in their careers.

As for who can reinvent themselves, and who will be eliminated by the times?

The answer may be revealed soon.