Utah Jazz Receive: G Devonte’ Graham, 2024 Second-Round Pick (NOP)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Jordan Clarkson
If you need evidence of the significance of first-round picks in the NBA, you needn’t look no further than the New Orleans Pelicans.
Well, that’s if you’re pretending the Thunder don’t exist. Otherwise, the Pelicans have as impressive a collection of draft capital as anyone in the NBA. Looking at the road they took to assemble it, it wasn’t always clear that their future would look so bright.
After all, when Anthony Davis forced his way out of New Orleans, things looked bleak in the Big Easy. People wondered whether this small market team could survive.
In the end, the Pelicans traded Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and three unprotected first-round picks and a swap.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Now, those picks are paying dividends. With the Lakers having a disappointing last season, the Pelicans were able to draft promising prospect Dyson Daniels. Moreover, they still have picks to spare.
Certainly enough of them to part with this second-rounder – right?