Lottery teams that could trade #1 overall pick for Pelicans’ Anthony Davis

As the inevitable Anthony Davis trade appears to be coming sooner than later for the New Orleans Pelicans, can David Griffin pull off a blockbuster deal for superstar prospect Zion Williamson?

It wasn’t long ago, six-years ago to be exact, when New Orleans Pelicans Superstar Anthony Davis was the prize possession and consensus No. 1 pick in the months leading up to the 2012 NBA draft. In a class that was widely considered average at best, the entire Association knew Davis was the cream of the crop who possessed immense potential.

Sound familiar? If so, it’s because a similar situation is brewing at the top of the 2019 NBA draft.

Zion Williamson, the 6’6 285-pound Duke standout and recently selected John R. Wooden awardee, similar to Anthony Davis, is widely recognized as the can’t-miss prospect in his draft class. Williamson possesses a rare combination of size, speed, strength, and vertical leaping abilities that have left opponents and rival college coaches in awe. While each of the 14 lottery teams will vie to be in a position to draft Williamson, a potential superstar in the making, there is a chance he could be used as trade bait in a deal to New Orleans for a more proven commodity in Davis.

Williamson is, by all accounts, unlike anything the basketball world has ever seen, often described as a mix of several all-time greats including LeBron James and Charles Barkley. However, similar praise showers upon Davis, who many believe can challenge San Antonio legend Tim Duncan someday as the game’s greatest power forward if he can ever find postseason success. With Anthony Davis widely recognized as a franchise-changing superstar, and Zion largely viewed as the next big thing, there are several realistic scenarios in which the two stars could find their destinies intertwined.

The Pelicans announced former Cavaliers executive David Griffin on Friday afternoon as their new President of Basketball Operations. Look for Griffin, a proven negotiator, to aggressively pursue a potential deal for Williamson. Here is a list of lottery teams who could possibly look into trading Williamson to the New Orleans Pelicans in a blockbuster deal for Anthony Davis.