Oleh Kosel
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David Griffin took the best deal on the table, but it sounds like he’s not finished making moves quite yet.
The wait is finally over, basketball fans.
The New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers have come to terms on a trade involving Anthony Davis. As he had hoped, the six-time All-Star is headed to his preferred destination to join forces with LeBron James while David Griffin, the executive vice president of basketball operations, is walking away with a long list of young assets including Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first-round draft picks.
The Pelicans have agreed to a deal to trade Anthony Davis to the Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks – including the No. 4 overall in 2019 Draft, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 15, 2019
With Griffin pushing the trigger five days before the 2019 NBA Draft, this signals that it was not in the Pelicans best interest to give other teams additional time to present more attractive offers. Case in point, the Boston Celtics reportedly refused to put Jayson Tatum on the bargaining table.
The Boston Celtics refused to make Jayson Tatum available in trade talks with New Orleans, league sources say, putting the Lakers in prime position to strike the deal that teams Anthony Davis with LeBron James
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 15, 2019
In addition, agreeing to a deal now allows the Pelicans front office to take a closer look at players projected to be drafted in the range of the fourth overall pick. Previously, they were having issues getting this group in for private workouts.
New Orleans has been aggressively attempting to convince agents of all players projected in the range of the No. 4 pick, to come work out for the Pelicans, this week. They hadn't had any luck up until now, but executing the trade now helps their cause quite a bit.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 15, 2019
Expectations are that the Pelicans front office isn’t finished with making moves in the near future as Adrian Wojnarowski reports teams have expressed serious interest in the fourth overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft that was included in the deal from Los Angeles to New Orleans.
Teams are already expressing significant interest in the No. 4 overall pick belonging now to the Pelicans, league sources tell ESPN. Talks are expected to continue over the next few days. This deal could get even bigger for the Pelicans.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 15, 2019
Stay tuned for our reactions as well as write-ups on the new incoming members of the New Orleans Pelicans!
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