Subscribe
Follow Us
The 2019 NBA Draft hasn't even started, and there's already been a major trade near the top. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Atlanta Hawks have acquired the No. 4 overall pick, the No. 57 pick, a future second-rounder, and forward Solomon Hill from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for No. 8, No. 17, and No. 35.
Atlanta has acquired New Orleans No. 4 pick in the draft for No. 8 and 17 and 35, league sources tell ESPN. Pelicans are sending Solomon Hill, No. 57 pick and a future second-round pick.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2019
The Hawks are also sending a heavily-protected future first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the deal.
Atlanta is also sending a Cleveland heavily protected first-round pick in 2020 to the Pelicans, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2019
ESPN reports that Atlanta is targeting Virginia forward DeAndre Hunter with the fourth overall pick of the draft.
Hunter averaged 15.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game in 2018-19, shooting 52.0 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from beyond the arc. Arguably the best and most versatile defender in the 2019 draft class, the Virginia star was at his best when it mattered most, scoring 27 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and going 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in the Cavaliers' thrilling NCAA Tournament Championship Game victory over Texas Tech and fellow high-lottery lottery prospect Jarrett Culver.
The Pelicans, poised to select Duke sensation Zion Williamson with the No. 1 overall, acquired No. 4 from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade last weekend. It's been known ever since that executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin was working to move the pick, though conventional wisdom said New Orleans was hoping to acquire an established young veteran in exchange for the fourth overall pick.
Expect the Pelicans to continue working the trade phones in hopes of packaging their two first-rounders after No. 1 for a starting-caliber player.
They could stand pat, too, adding young players on the cheap who fit Williamson's timeline toward stardom.
