The New Orleans Pelicans made the most of their trade with the Los Angeles Lakers and their top spot in the 2019 NBA Draft, filling their coiffures with talented young players.
New Orleans, already having the No. 1 pick in the draft via the lottery, also acquired two more first round picks when they traded their No. 4 selection (picked up in the Anthony Davis trade) to the Atlanta Hawks for the No. 8 and No. 17 spots. They also got a No. 35 pick from the Hawks in return for Solomon Hill and the No. 57 pick.
As expected, the Pelicans selected Duke superstar Zion Williamson with the overall No. 1 selection. That pick was a no-brainer if New Orleans expects to be a contender in the near future.
What the Pelicans did with the No. 8 and No. 17 selections is pick up young talent to complement Williamson and guard Jrue Holiday.
In the No. 8 spot, New Orleans took 6’11” Big 12 Freshman of the year, Jaxson Hayes out of Texas. The hope is that the big man will bring more athleticism to the front court.
With the No. 17 pick, the Pelicans chose Virginia Tech combo-guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to put another weapon in the back court along with Holiday.
Image
TRACEY JAGNEAUX Sports Editor