Pelicans Secure Future: Lakers’ First-Round Pick Deferred to 2025
The New Orleans Pelicans have opted to defer their rights to the Los Angeles Lakers first-round pick from the 2024 NBA Draft to 2025. This decision stems from the 2019 blockbuster trade involving Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram, which also granted New Orleans significant future draft capital.
Strategic Move for Stronger Draft Class
The Pelicans had until June 1 to decide whether to claim the Lakers’ No. 17 overall pick this year or defer it. They chose to defer, eyeing a potentially more talented draft class in 2025. NBA draft analysts widely agree that the 2025 class features stronger and more productive prospects compared to the upcoming 2024 draft. This strategic move aims to maximize the value and impact of the pick based on the Lakers’ performance in the 2024-25 season.
Pelicans’ Draft Position
While deferring the Lakers’ pick, the Pelicans still retain their first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, holding the No. 21 overall selection. This allows New Orleans to continue building their roster while planning for a more fruitful draft opportunity next year.
This year, for the first time, the NBA will split the draft into two nights. The first round, featuring 30 picks, will take place on June 26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The second round will follow on the next evening. ABC and ESPN will televise the first round, while ESPN will cover the second round, which will include 28 picks due to tampering rule violations by Philadelphia and Phoenix.
The Pelicans’ decision to defer the Lakers’ first-round pick to 2025 showcases a strategic approach to team-building and asset management. By targeting a potentially stronger draft class, New Orleans positions itself to gain more valuable talent in the future, continuing to reap the benefits of the 2019 trade deal.
