Deadline for Pelicans’ decision on 2024 or 2025 Lakers first round pick revealed
For many years, the Anthony Davis trade has handicapped the Lakers' future. In recent seasons, the uncertainty of whether the Pelicans will own the Lakers’ 2024 or 2025 first-round pick has been particularly concerning.
Any trade in which the Lakers wanted to include multiple first round picks was hindered by the uncertainty of which pick the team would convey to the Pelicans. Fortunately, we finally received a deadline as to when New Orleans will need to make that decision.
On Monday, the league broke a number of tiebreakers for this year's draft and lottery order. The Lakers were included in one of those tiebreakers, but more notably, Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress also revealed when the Pelicans would have to make their decision.
For the record, this was almost certainly known between the Lakers and Pelicans when the trade was originally negotiated. But it was not publicly known until now.
This June 1 date makes sense because it would give both sides time to learn their official draft position if either or both were in the lottery, as well as to attend the combine and do some initial draft workouts.
For the Lakers, no matter which way the Pelicans go, they’ll have a lot of clarity and some ability to immediately make trades. The only other first round pick owed to any team outside of this is their 2027 first round pick, which will go to Utah as part of trading away Russell Westbrook.
If New Orleans chooses the 2024 pick, the Lakers can trade the 2025 pick immediately. If the Pelicans choose the 2025 pick, which reports suggest they will, the Lakers can trade the 2024 pick on draft night. In either instance, the Lakers can also trade any of the 2029, 2030 or 2031 picks, so long as they comply with the Stepien Rule.
At best, it gives them three first round picks to deal. And the Lakers’ inactivity at the deadline likely forecasted their level of aggressiveness this offseason.
This 2024/2025 pick will also be the final piece of the Anthony Davis trade package that the Lakers owe New Orleans. Since trading for AD, the Lakers have missed the playoffs just once, made the Western Conference Finals and won an NBA title. The Pelicans, in that span, won two playoff games in their one playoff appearance.
Hard to say who won that deal.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
