It’s been six years since the New Orleans Pelican traded Anthony Davis for the Los Angeles Lakers in a franchise-change-hit blockbuster.
The Lakers surrendered three first-round picks to win Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and a superstar big name.
The deal didn’t include as many first-round picks as Desmond Bain’s trade or other mega trades like Mikal Bridge and Kevin Durant, but it fundamentally changed the trajectory of both franchises.
The Lakers perfectly complemented LeBron James, helping Davis run the 2020 NBA Championship.
For New Orleans, this marks the transition from the Davis era to the Zion Williamson era, building around the 2019 draft topic.
Davis was later traded for Luka Donsic and Dallas, but the impact of the original deal continues to resonate throughout the league.
All three major players remained at the Pelican, each taking a dramatically different career path since leaving New Orleans.
Lonzo Ball spent two seasons in New Orleans, posting a career-high 14.6 points per game during the 2020-21 campaign.
The Pelican exchanged him for Chicago in 2021 through a sign-and-trade deal, receiving Thomas Setrankie, Garrett Temple and draft picks. The injury limits his recent impact, but the ball stays with the bull.
Brandon Ingram enjoyed the longest tenure of the trio, spending nearly six years in New Orleans, winning both the All-Star Selection and the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award.
However, the Pelicans traded him for Toronto this February, receiving Bruce Brown, Kelly Olinik, a first pick and a second round in return.
Josh Hart spent just two and a half seasons in New Orleans before joining the CJ McCollum trade that sent him to Portland.
Hart was then dealt with the New York Knicks in 2023, where he became a key piece of recent success alongside Jaren Branson, appearing as one of the league’s most valuable role players.
The situation with the first round of 2019 picks was complicated for New Orleans and ultimately proved to be disappointing.
Pelican’s fourth overall pick from the Lakers was traded for Atlanta for DeAndre Hunter, with New Orleans receiving the eighth, 17th and 35th selection in return.
Jaxson Hayes (8th pick) ironically signed with the Lakers in 2023, spending four seasons in New Orleans after reuniting with Davis and LeBron.
Hayes never developed into the rim-running threat the Pelicans had envisioned, averaging 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds during his New Orleans tenure.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17th pick) had an even shorter stay, lasting just two seasons before being included in the Josh Hart trade package to Portland, and was soon handed out to Utah.
He discovered stability with Minnesota in 2023 and became a valuable role player supporting the physical style of play between Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.
Didi Louzada (35th Pick) had no meaningful NBA influence and played less than 10 games per season before playing professionally in Brazil.
In the first round of 2022, he won Dyson Daniels (8th overall). This is a promising outlook for the NBA G League Ignite program.
However, his potential was not possible in New Orleans, leading to trade in Atlanta in 2024.
Ironic stab wounds for Pelicans fans: Daniels earned the NBA’s most improved player and earned the first team honors of the NBA All-Defense in his first season with the Hawks.
His breakout performance highlighted the inability for New Orleans to develop young talent effectively.
Pelican got DeJounte using the postponed 2024 Lakers Pick (originally scheduled for 2025) Murray from Atlanta in the same trade that drove Daniels away.
Murray averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists in his first New Orleans season, and the franchise desperately needed veteran leadership.
Six years later, Anthony Davis’ trade is a clear victory for the Lakers and a missed opportunity for New Orleans.
Los Angeles put Davis in the immediate championship, but the Pelicans struggled to maximize their substantial profits.
The franchise received a significant asset for Davis, but failed to build a sustainable winner around Zion Williamson.
