The New Orleans Pelicans used the fourth overall draft pick they received from the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the Anthony Davis trade to acquire picks No. 8, 17 and 35 in the 2019 NBA Draft through a trade with the Atlanta Hawks according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Pelicans are reportedly sending Solomon Hill, the No. 57 pick and a future second-round pick to the Hawks as well in the deal. Meanwhile, Atlanta is trading a Cleveland heavily protected first-round pick in 2020 to the Pelicans according to ESPN.
The trade news broke roughly one hour before the start of Thursday night’s draft. If point guard Darius Garland is in fact the next best player available in this class after Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and R.J. Barrett, it makes sense for New Orleans to move back and potentially add more of a need to their transitioning roster. As it stands right now, the Pels currently employ capable options at the lead guard spot in Jrue Holiday and now Lonzo Ball.
While the Lakers desperately needed to pair Anthony Davis with LeBron James, the return in that trade for the Pelicans only continues to grow. With the ability to add three more rookies to their roster, the opportunity to find potential pieces you can use to build around Zion Williamson long-term only increases for EVP David Griffin and his staff. What New Orleans ends up doing with those picks–especially Nos. 8 and 17–could have a major impact on the franchise for years to come.
