The New Orleans Pelicans will be defined for the next several years by the Anthony Davis trade, which includes rookie standout Herb Jones.
Whether he likes it or not, David Griffin’s tenure in New Orleans is going to be judged by one of the first things he did as VP of basketball operations, which was to trade superstar Anthony Davis.
At first, it looked like both teams had won the trade, as the Lakers got a secondary star to go with LeBron James, and won a title.
The Pelicans got a haul of young players and picks to build around, though some of them are no longer on the team or haven’t really panned out, so the jury is still out.
But this is the trade that keeps on giving and now that the Pelicans have secured Herb Jones, who looks like an All-Rookie and future All-Defense selection, the trade is looking a little better for NOLA.
Here is the entire haul from the Anthony Davis trade so far.
Herb Jones and the Anthony Davis trade
This haul is starting to look better, especially if the Pelicans can cash in their remaining picks for impact young players in the draft or future trades:
- Brandon Ingram (All-Star)
- Lonzo Ball (gone to Chicago via trade for Satoransky, Temple and a 2nd-round pick)
- Josh Hart (playing like the MIP right now)
- Jaxson Hayes
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker
- Didi Louzada
- Herb Jones (pick received from trading Lakers’ #4 pick to Atlanta)
- Jonas Valanciunas (traded for Lakers 2022 pick)
- 2023 1st-round pick swap (Lakers)
- 2024 (possibly 2025 if they defer) 1st-round pick (Lakers)
When you consider that there are still two picks coming from the Lakers, and that those picks suddenly look a lot better, this has to be the biggest haul in the history of NBA trades.
The book is still out on Hayes, NAW and Didi, but Herb Jones looks like a future star, Brandon Ingram is already an All-Star and should be again this season, and Josh Hart has evolved into one of the best role players in the NBA.
The Lonzo Ball fiasco didn’t work out, and I think David Griffin blew that trade to some extent, but it’s not like Ball is a future hall of famer or anything. He’s a nice player doing well on his new team but there was no indication that he was a great fit with Zion Williamson.
Obviously the Lakers are happy with their title, but given that Anthony Davis was never going to work out in New Orleans, this was about as good as they could do.
If either of Hayes or NAW ends up being an All-Star, I think it’s arguable that the Pelicans won this trade, especially when you consider there is more coming. If they are able to use those picks to land another star, David Griffin should be commended for getting max value for a guy who made it clear he wanted out, which isn’t easy to do.