Report: Pelicans send No. 4 selection to Hawks for multiple picks
After agreeing to trade Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for a boatload of young talent, the New Orleans Pelicans are making another big move.
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pelicans are trading the No. overall 4 pick in the 2019 NBA draft to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the Nos. 8, 17 and 35 picks in the draft. The Pelicans are also reportedly sending Solomon Hill, the No. 57 pick and a future second-rounder to the Hawks.
The Pelicans were first reported to be close to an agreement by Yahoo Sports’ Chirs Haynes.
Atlanta has acquired New Orleans No. 4 pick in the draft for No. 8 and 17 and 35, league sources tell ESPN. Pelicans are sending Solomon Hill, No. 57 pick and a future second-round pick.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2019
The Hawks eventually used the fourth pick on Virginia wing De’Andre Hunter.
Hunter had previously been projected by Yahoo Sports to be taken fifth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he’ll end up with a promising young Hawks team and should bring plenty of shooting and defense after leading Virginia to a national championship.
Four picks later, the Pelicans used the eighth overall pick on Texas big man Jaxson Hayes, who figures to form an imposing and athletic frontcourt alongside first overall pick Zion Williamson.
The Pelicans had been reported earlier to be considering a trade of the fourth overall pick for the 8th and 10th pick, but the team will instead receive a higher quantity of selections as well as salary relief in the form of Hill’s contract.
Previously in an unenviable position after Anthony Davis’ trade request threatened to force a full teardown of the franchise, the Pelicans and new executive vice president David Griffin have done an impressive job of maximizing the return for Davis.
Anthony Davis has turned into:
- Lonzo Ball
- Brandon Ingram
- Josh Hart
- No. 8 pick in 19
- No. 17 pick in 19
- No. 35 pick in 19
- L.A.' 21 pick if top 8
- L.A.' 22 pick if not
- L.A. swap in 23
- L.A.' 1st in either 24 or 25
And got rid of Solomon Hill's contract.— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) June 20, 2019
Not only does the team now have all that talent, but offloading Hill’s contract also reportedly gives the Pelicans enough cap space to land a max free agent ... unlike the Lakers, possibly.
The Pelicans were set to generate as much as $22.4M in cap space once the Anthony Davis trade is official. By getting off Solomon Hill they can now get to $33.5M in cap space, enough for a max player with 7-9 years of service.
They also, of course, received the #8 and #17 picks. pic.twitter.com/B3lmk34ID1— YossiNBA (@YoggiMane) June 20, 2019
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