The Pelicans were very active leading up to and including the NBA Draft on Thursday, making the blockbuster move of dealing Anthony Davis before making another move with the fourth pick acquired from the Lakers for multiple first rounders in the present and future.
In the end, the Pelicans settled on trading with the Atlanta Hawks but it wasn’t the only deal the team was reportedly considering. Per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, the Timberwolves and Pelicans had discussions about a deal that would have turned Solomon Hill into Robert Covington with a pick swap attached.
The Pelicans were looking for Robert Covington and 11 for 4, Solomon Hill (who has an expiring contract for $12.8 million) and possibly a second-round pick. The Cavaliers were asking for a significant haul for 5 as well, so the Wolves moved on to the Suns at 6.
While Covington doesn’t specifically fill a need for the Pelicans, he would add a quality veteran to the young core. Potentially, Alvin Gentry could have experimented with a lineup of Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Covington and Zion Williamson.
Covington is one of the elite wing defenders in the league and, when healthy, one of the best 3-and-D players as well. While playing in just 35 games due to injury last year, Covington shot 37.8 percent from three-point range. On top of that, he would have made the Pelicans a truly elite defense.
It’s not a surprise that Minnesota turned down the deal, though, as the one they did end up making for the sixth pick, which included sending out Dario Saric and the 11th pick, was far less damaging to the team. Covington is a valuable role player. But it’s encouraging that is the type of player that David Griffin is targeting moving forward.
