The New Orleans Pelicans have decided to postpone the utilization of the final first-round draft pick acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade until 2025, according to a source familiar with the matter, as reported by The Associated Press.
Pelicans have now filed official notice with the Lakers and league office that the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft goes to LA, sources tell ESPN. Pelicans will take the Lakers first-round pick in 2025.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday because no announcement had been made about the decision, which means the Lakers will retain their selection in the first round of this year’s draft on June 26, when they are slated to pick 17th overall.
It also leaves the Pelicans with only their own first-round pick at No. 21 in this year’s draft.
Under the terms of the Davis trade, the Pelicans cannot wait beyond 2025 to use the pick, which is the last remaining Lakers asset they are owed from that deal.
The blockbuster trade shortly before the 2019 draft sent the Pelicans three Lakers players: Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart. Only Ingram remains with New Orleans, but he is entering the final season of his contract.
The Pelicans won the draft lottery in 2019, when they selected Duke star forward Zion Williamson first overall. They then used the Lakers’ No. 4 overall pick in a trade for the eighth and 17th overall picks, as well as the 35th overall choice in the second round.
With those, they drafted center Jaxson Hayes, guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker and guard Didi Louzada, none of whom are still with the Pelicans.
New Orleans used a second Lakers’ first-round pick in 2022 to select Australian wing Dyson Daniels eighth overall.
Please adhere to our submission guidelines when sharing content, refraining from including profanity, personal attacks, or harassment. Failure to comply may result in the removal of your comments and the blocking of your account. Additionally, Sportsnet retains the discretion to close a story’s comment section at any given time.
