Getty Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball will team up with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ roster is getting a complete makeover with Zion Williamson as the centerpiece after GM David Griffin now has three first-round picks. Griffin is looking to build around Williamson and had three more first round picks to do just that after completing a trade with the Hawks.
Here is a look at the updated Pelicans roster. Keep in mind the Pelicans roster will look different after free agency. We will be updating this depth chart as the Pelicans make their draft picks.
New Orleans Pelicans Roster & Starting Lineup for 2019-20
C- Zion Williamson, Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood, Jahlil Okafor
PF- Brandon Ingram, Cheick Diallo (RFA), Julius Randle (PO)*
SF- Jrue Holiday, Kenrich Williams, Stanley Johnson (RFA)
SG- E’Twaun Moore, Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Ian Clark (FA), Marcos Louzada Silva, Dairis Bertan, Trevon Bluiett (RFA)
PG- Lonzo Ball, Elfrid Payton (FA), Frank Jackson
*Julius Randle is expected to exercise his player option to become a free agent.
The Pelicans Acquired 3 NBA Draft Picks From the Hawks
The Pelicans turned the No. 4 pick into an even bigger asset by trading down four spots. New Orleans now owns picks No. 8, 17 and 35 in addition to the No. 1 pick which became Williamson. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski detailed the Hawks-Pelicans trade.
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…Atlanta is also sending a Cleveland heavily protected first-round pick in 2020 to the Pelicans, league sources tell ESPN…And David Griffin gets maximum value again for the No. 4 pick — expanding that Lakers trade even more.
After rumors emerged that the Pelicans were looking to move the No. 4 pick for a veteran, New Orleans opted to go young by taking the Hawks bounty of selections. It will be interesting to see who New Orleans selects to go with their young core of Williamson, Ball and Holiday. ESPN’s Malika Andrews also reported that the Pelicans will pick up Jahlil Okafor’s option for next season.
“Pelicans are picking up Jahlil Okafor’s team option for the 2019-2020 season, league sources tell ESPN. The New Orleans staff is impressed by the way Okafor has reworked his body and the improvements he’s made on the defensive end of the floor,” Andrews tweeted.
Griffin has now turned Davis into a plethora of current and future assets, including a number of picks. The Times-Picayune’s Andrew Lopez detailed everything that the Pelicans have received after taking into account the most recent trade with the Hawks.
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 25And got rid of Solomon Hill’s contract.
*Editor’s Note: The Pelicans only have three first round picks and Cam Reddish will play for the Atlanta Hawks. An earlier edition of this article noted that the No. 10 pick was part of the trade, but the Hawks will retain the pick.*