Done deal: The Pelicans top forward have move to lakers for a 2024 choice…..
The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs to end their 2023–24 campaign. Los Angeles is trying to improve in the future by rebuilding their lineup. Before the NBA Draft, talks are focused on Anthony Davis, the star center who was acquired by Los Angeles through trade in 2019. However, Davis is not seen as a moving element. Ahead of the June event, the New Orleans Pelicans are preparing for a pick they acquired in the Davis trade.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pelicans intend to hold off on selecting Los Angeles’ first-round choice until the 2025 NBA Draft. The Lakers can now choose 17th overall in the 2024 draft thanks to this. Considering that pick considerations were included in the 2019 Anthony Davis trade, the move makes sense.
In addition, Los Angeles is the owner of the 55th draft pick. According to Wojnarowski, the Pelicans have until Saturday at 11:59 ET to notify the league of their plans. The selection is the last of three first-round picks that the Lakers owed the Pelicans in exchange for Davis.
It appears that New Orleans is more interested in 2025 NBA Draft prospects than in 2024. It will be intriguing to observe the players their LA selections end up producing for them down the road.
In 2024, the Pelicans and Lakers experienced a comparable postseason run. They faced the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round after earning the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Sadly, OKC dominated New Orleans, but it’s fair to say that they lost. One could argue that the Pelicans were without their best player. Ironically, Zion Williamson’s hamstring issue sustained against the Lakers in the Play-In Tournament kept him out of the series. The Pelicans should go farther when he returns healthy.
The Lakers also wish to progress further.
The Lakers and Anthony Davis want to reclaim the top spot in the West.
Many people doubted that the Lakers would benefit from the Anthony Davis trade. It’s reasonable to assume that most responses have been favorable. In the 2020 NBA Finals, Davis assisted Los Angeles in winning their first championship.
He has struggled with injuries, but when well, he is a formidable opponent. Davis recently had a very successful year. During the 2023–24 regular season, the 31-year-old averaged 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals. He also participated in 76 games, which is a career high. LeBron James’ aging means Davis will probably have to keep bearing a big burden.
James recently completed his 21st NBA season. The top forward is still competing with the best, though. James had a career-high four1.0 percent three-point shooting percentage, along with averages of 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. Although the 39-year-old is getting close to a critical contract negotiation stage in the 2024 offseason, all indications suggest he will remain in Los Angeles.
The key concern with James and Davis is how the Lakers will help them have a stronger postseason run. In the midst of yet another crucial phase, LA’s front office will undoubtedly come up with a strategy to assist the squad succeed in the short and long terms.
