6 Burning Questions Surrounding Zion’s Offseason

Robert Salinas • June 22, 2023

        We are hours away from the 2023 NBA Draft and bombs have already started dropping for this offseason. All eyes are on this stellar draft class and what teams are willing to move (or not) to acquire some of the better prospects we’ve seen in one classroom since 2003, at least based on hype alone. The only surefire turnout we know is the #1 spot. While one of the biggest names was taken off the board when Bradley Beal was shipped off to Hooters with Booker & Co., Zion Williamson once again has built traction to be a factor for a potential major offseason move. He has faced this unlikely rumor in years past with little belief that New Orleans would be silly enough to drop this franchise player, yet this year’s waiter has now brought out some dishes that were sizzling from the kitchen, and many heads are turning in curiosity to maybe, just maybe, change their usual order and try a taste. Did that make sense? I’m always hungry, but here are the 6 burning, immediate, critical questions that come to mind when considering what happens with Zion:


        1. Should New Orleans even consider trading Zion? There’s always a price, so taking out the outrageous offers and considering viable, more- likely possibilities, is giving Zion away even a considerable position to think about? He was one of the most hyped #1 prospects since Lebron and promised to be a franchise-defining player. Health aside, it’s hard to ignore the efficiency and talent that Williamson has brought to the Pels (notably, when he was healthy this last season they were the top team in the West). The problem is, of course, that we can’t put health aside. In fact, that is the reason to juggle the thought of banking on another potential franchise-defining player. Zion sits with an attractive contract at a young age, so it might be too early to risk letting him go when he’s still an undeniable force on the court. If I had the chance to snag the #2 or #3 pick this year however, the price might be just right…


        2. What happens to the banner? Look, I am from a town that relied on South Side murals to represent our team loyalty, spray painted on the sides of taquerias with chrome-like details that would translate wonderfully into airbrush tees sold at corner-street tents. Being in a city with a nationally top-prospect, immediately signed to a major brand somehow translates to a secret city club of skyscraper banners, shortly worded and larger than life. I never had that before, and it’s just cool as hell. When I moved to New Orleans, the Zion banner was a feat in and of itself for an outsider. Does it stay? Is another player the replacement (in which I say no, you just can’t have any player on a banner…right)? I like the idea of OG Pierre and King Cake Baby standing back-to-back on a mural that size just to incite terror. Don’t let me plan the banner.


        3. What city will Zion Jr. be raised in? There’s something to growing up in a town with history, culture, the biggest and best celebration of the year, and some of the worst streets to drive on. Most families don’t flock to New Orleans as an ideal place to raise little ones, but when you have money I’m positive that you can eliminate some of the struggles others might face (school systems, childcare, etc.). I am in no place to assume, so from a point of ignorance, is it better to bring this new child into the world of New York, Portland, Charlotte? Maybe, but c’mon, it’s New Orleans.


        4. Who else goes down with the ship? That might be dramatic phrasing, but there’s a chance that Zion alone might not be enticing enough to make a final deal. At that point, who else becomes available? Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones have proven to be amazing steals and viable assets, but is that price too high? Depending on the payoff, I am curious on who else might be on the table. The only players I feel confident about are Ingram, CJ, and Jose. That’s it. But even my confidence doesn’t guarantee the outlandish possibility that New Orleans can’t shake things up.


        5. Is the Jordan Zion 3 still coming? I’m one to not care for non-Michael, Jordan-endorsed player shoe releases (i.e. any Jordans other than 1-14 including combos of any in that list: Spizikes, 6-Rings, etc.). But the Zion 2s released anime colorways. That’s cool. AND, they’re on sale right now. If Zion propels into a bigger market, is the Zion 3 inevitable? Do the Zion 2s go more on-sale? Will I buy them – no – but shoes maketh the man.

        6. If it comes down to it – Scoot or Zion? The real reason why Zion is trending is the possibility of Portland or Charlotte opting to trade their top pick, which will very-well be Scoot Henderson. It’s a strong consensus that in pretty much any other non-Wemby year, Scoot is an undeniable #1. Brandon Miller also proves to be a potential franchise-player, and New Orleans could find itself with an offer for either one if they look to give up the injury-prone star power of Williamson. If I had to pick right now, and if it was down to one-for-one, Scoot somehow is too good to pass up. Seeing him develop next to BI and the growing core that the Pelicans have, along with some solid future draft capital, could prove to be beneficial in the long term. It’s rare you get to snag another number-one guy, and if the risks aligned with Zion could be swapped for that, I think I would bite…this year especially. That’s Scoot though, since there’s no real Miller-or- Zion conversion. Once


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Why Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton RoyalWhy Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton Royal

By Auston Taylor • July 8, 2026
 LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.

Tight End Room Outlook: Revamped and Ready To Roll

By Kaden Arkeder • July 4, 2026
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.
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