The New Orleans Pelicans have deferred their first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade to 2025, meaning that L.A. is in position to pick 17th overall in 2024.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Jonathan Givony reported the news on Friday. On Saturday, Wojnarowski reported the Pelicans filed official notice with the NBA to confirm the decision.
Bobby Marks of ESPN shared an updated look at L.A.’s updated draft assets following the news:
Per Basketball-Reference, L.A. dealt Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, De’Andre Hunter, Brandon Ingram, cash, a 2022 first-round draft pick, a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 first-rounder (with the right to defer to 2025) to the New Orleans Pelicans for Davis in 2019.
This was a three-team deal involving the Washington Wizards, so the Lakers also sent Isaac Bonga, Jemerrio Jones, Moritz Wagner and a 2022 2nd round draft pick to D.C. The aforementioned 2024/2025 first-round draft pick is the final piece of the trade puzzle.
The Lakers therefore hold the No. 17 and No. 55 overall picks in the NBA draft. They have some work to do to reshape the roster after a quick first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.
The latest mock draft choices for the Lakers via Jonathan Wasserman for Bleacher Report have L.A. picking Baylor big man Yves Messi at No. 17 and USC guard Bronny James, the son of Lakers star LeBron James, at No. 55.
L.A. has some other decisions to make. There was talk about adding a third star around Davis and LeBron James, but it seems the team is more focused on adding more depth behind them instead, per Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
“My sense right now is they’re leaning more toward upgrading the supporting cast rather than the three-star model,” Buha said, starting at the 2:30 mark.
D’Angelo Russell can notably opt out of his deal to become a free agent. James can as well, although he’s previously said he wants to end his career as a Laker.
