You may be wondering why the New Orleans Pelicans — who won their play-in games and then took the Phoenix Suns to six games in the opening playoff round — could end up with a lottery pick on Tuesday night.
Or, you’re wondering why the Los Angeles Lakers don’t have a first-rounder after missing the postseason this year.
We’ve got an answer! It’s all thanks to the Anthony Davis trade.
Back in 2019, the Pels dealt the then-disgruntled superstar to Los Angeles in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and a trio of first-rounders. The 2022 first-rounder is protected if it’s11 through 30 … and the Lakers are projected to have a 26.2 percent chance at a top-five pick.
So the Pels could end up with a top-10 pick, and the Lakers are probably more than happy to have won the 2020 title.
But that’s why this video is very funny:
Wishing our friends at the Lakers the best of luck in the NBA Draft Lottery tonight! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/sr7Yq0g3nL
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) May 17, 2022
We’ll see if the Pelicans end up with the Lakers’ pick around 8PM ET on Tuesday!
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