Outside of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball arguably the three most exciting prospects on the New Orleans Pelicans and it seems as though the rest of the league realizes that.
During Ball, Ingram, Derrick Favors and Josh Hart’s introductory press conference with the Pelicans on Tuesday, executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin revealed that teams inquired about Ball, Ingram and even Hart’s availability when they were traded to New Orleans. Griffin said Hart reached out to Griffin and asked him not to be traded:
“Josh called me before the draft, after we made the trade to acquire these gentlemen, and said ‘I know you can get a lot for me,’ and we literally had received offers from everyone here from the Lakers at that time,’ and he said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t trade me. I really want to be in New Orleans.'”
That phone call seemingly paid off, as Hart was introduced alongside Ball, Ingram and Favors on Tuesday. While it’s entirely possible that Hart, Ball and Ingram will be floated in trade rumors again next season, it sounds like Griffin and the Pelicans organization are committed to their new trio of young players.
You can watch their full introductory press conference below:
