The reasons why Pelicans deferred Lakers’ 2024 NBA Draft pick

The NBA Draft tips off on June 24 but the New Orleans Pelicans were on the clock regarding a 2024 pick from the Los Angeles Lakers. The Pelicans could have either kept the 17th overall pick from the Lakers or deferred the last draft asset remaining from the Anthony Davis deal to 2025. The consensus opinion has been to wait another year to cash in on a better draft class but there was a bit of suspense late. Having two picks in this draft would have been plenty of ammo to chase an NBA All-Star.

The Pelicans applied late pressure to the trade market by signaling their intent. EVP David Griffin kept the Hollywood-based brass waiting until the last minute but ultimately decided to pass on an extra 2024 selection, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It is easy to see why now that the decision is finalized.

Spending dollars that don’t make sense

The Pelicans are notoriously allergic to paying the luxury tax. Trey Murphy III, Dyson Daniels, and Jordan Hawkins had to learn a few lessons the hard way. Willie Green does not give rookies much leeway or playing time for long stretches. There was never going to be a good reason to pay two rookies a total of $5.936 million this season. New Orleans needs that cap room for better-fitting role players, or retaining Naji Marshall.

Without a second-round pick, the Pelicans can focus all of their last-minute scouting efforts on prospects like Zach Edey. The 21st pick will count for a $2.7 million cap hit. If New Orleans does not see someone they like, a trade-back makes a lot of sense. The front office needs to restock the second round pick stock after all. Having to do so with the 17th and 21st picks would have been far more difficult.

The Pelicans did not need the extra problems. Pushing back the pick to 2025 is a reasonable gamble on a better draft class. The Lakers are a decent bet to have a losing record next season in a stacked Western Conference. They’ll either have an older LeBron James, or a revamped roster when the scoring champ scoots out of town as a free agent.

Pelicans eyeing 2025 draft class

The 2025 NBA Draft class has had executives excited for years. The 2024 class is still eliciting yawns as a reaction. The Pelicans deferring until 2025 has been expected for a while but waiting until the last minute put the Lakers in a tough spot. Now New Orleans, Los Angeles, and all potential trade partners know for sure what they are working with in any trade negotiations.

Having two first-round picks in a stacked draft class is a luxury few will be able to claim. The Pelicans can use those two selections, package them for a move-up, or finally push all the chips in on a play to build a contender around Zion Williamson. CJ McCollum’s contract will be an expiring deal. The cap ceiling will be approaching $200 million. The front office will have all of the tools needed to get creative.

Can they pull it off though? Griffin said to expect some urgency from the front office this summer. The problem is Trajan Langdon has left the building and is taking talent with him to the Detroit Pistons. Whoever is running the draft room next summer, the Pelicans cannot afford to miss now that they’ve deferred the pick.