NBA Rumors: Bidding War Expected For Pelicans Fourth Overall Pick

The question of where Anthony Davis will be playing next NBA season has (unofficially) been answered following reports that the New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to send the disgruntled big man to the Los Angeles Lakers in a multiplayer trade. However, the Pelicans are not yet out of the woods with several teams reportedly now interested on their rights to the fourth overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Pelicans have agreed to trade Anthony Davis to the Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks. This includes the fourth overall pick for the coming NBA Draft which, as mentioned in a previous post, could be Darius Garland. Until recently, it was believed that Garland has the inside track, seeing how he was working out with LeBron James. But in that article, it was also mentioned that it could mean nothing since both are under Klutch Sports.

The Pelicans also own the rights to the first overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. It seems practically imminent that they will use that on Zion Williamson. The Memphis Grizzlies, picking second, are likely to pick up Ja Morant while the New York Knicks are widely believed to have their eyes on R.J. Barrett. The fourth overall pick is a toss-up although Garland, De'Andre Hunter and Jarrett Culver have been mentioned as names to be selected, the Bleacher Report reported.

Once the trade is made official, the Pelicans are expected to have a loaded backcourt. And if there is one area that they would need to beef up, it would be the frontline. With only a couple of days left before the 2019 NBA Draft, it will be interesting if the Pelicans engage in another deal. If not, New Orleans is expected to go for a big man to fill up the said void.

As of this writing, the Pelicans do have Julius Randle, Jahlil Okafor, Cheick Diallo and Christian Wood. Okafor is likely to opt out although last season's performance will likely lead to the Pelicans re-signing him. The Pelicans can also exercise their team option on Okafor. But even with these names, it is a given that coach Alvin Gentry needs to add more muscle up front. That piece could come from the NBA Draft or from NBA free agency - meaning another potential trade could happen before the 2019-20 NBA season.