What are the chances that Zion returns to Duke rather than going to a small NBA market?

0%.

Because it is very possible it is fixed. Your reaction and how you seem to think its impossible to think they would fix it. Is the same reaction many people would have had if someone had said NBA refs have fixed games before. It wouldn't have been something people believed, but as we came to find out it definitely has happened.

 

Now I don't think it is something that is an every year thing. But I do think it is something that happens at times to help get things to go in a way the NBA wants.

 

I already have posted that it is very possible for an individual person (eg: referee) to be tempted enough to "fix" a game. Donaghy is proof of that and I seriously doubt he is the only ref that has ever fixed a game. Players in college (not getting paid or being paid a relatively small amount) could also be tempted to take cash to fix a game. But, c'mon, do you really think billionaires and multi-millionaires are going risk tainting their sport and possibly going to jail for fraud just so a player or two can play for a specific team? Keep in mind that one person cannot fix the lottery by himself. It would have to be a coordinated effort - a conspiracy. If you believe it, that is fine. I am not going to change your mind. It defies any semblance of logic though IMO.

I already have posted that it is very possible for an individual person (eg: referee) to be tempted enough to "fix" a game. Donaghy is proof of that and I seriously doubt he is the only ref that has ever fixed a game. Players in college (not getting paid or being paid a relatively small amount) could also be tempted to take cash to fix a game. But, c'mon, do you really think billionaires and multi-millionaires are going risk tainting their sport and possibly going to jail for fraud just so a player or two can play for a specific team? Keep in mind that one person cannot fix the lottery by himself. It would have to be a coordinated effort - a conspiracy. If you believe it, that is fine. I am not going to change your mind. It defies any semblance of logic though IMO.

Basically, this. I’m not sure people get to what lengths the NBA would have to go through to rig a draft lottery. We are talking media members, NBA officials, and independent workers. Citing a referee or player fixing games and equating it to this is a false equivalency. Those are not coordinated attempts by the NBA company, those are personal actions to make money.

What are the chances that Zion returns to Duke rather than going to a small NBA market?

 

Option 1 - School and basketball.

 

Option 2 - $30 million and more basketball.

 

I don't think there is a debate there. In 3 years when his first contract is done, he will have earned over $100 million, including endorsements; have 3 years experience playing basketball with and against the best in the world; and he will still just be 22 years old with many years of basketball to be played wherever he wants to play it.