Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: The 5 ripple effects of the Anthony Davis Trade

By Adam Tayabali

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 27, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 27, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images /

2. Pelicans’ future looks bright again

Four months ago, the future looked bleak for the New Orleans Pelicans. One of the best players in the league announced that he would not be signing a contract extension and wanted out.

The Pelicans didn’t have any of their first-round draft picks since Anthony Davis, who was taken first overall in 2012. All of them were traded away in deals that were meant to add immediate talent but was never enough to make them a consistent, winning team.

Now after the pleasant surprise of winning the draft lottery and subsequently Zion Williamson, the Pelicans have hope for a fresh start with or without AD.  Trading him for young talented players like Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, along with the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, and the future looks brights for New Orleans.

New Orleans plans to compete for a playoff spot while improving the new young core, and could also make some moves to add an All-star caliber player. The Pelicans could potentially move Ball or the No. 4 pick to achieve this goal.

The Pelicans also still have Jrue Holiday under contract who is a solid guard that contributes on both ends of the floor. New Orleans could also try and re-sign center Julius Randle, although he may command more on the open market then they would want to give.

New Orleans can learn from their past mistakes and begin to view the draft as a consistent avenue to add young talent. They’ll have a fresh start with some transcendent young players, and general manager David Griffin won’t look to waste it.