It's only a matter of time until Zion Williamson officially becomes the New Orleans Pelicans' franchise cornerstone. Even before being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, though, he's already building goodwill among his future team's newest players.

Williamson praised Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram on Wednesday, the top two players who will be dealt to the Pelicans once the team's blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis is complete come July.

“Lonzo, I think he is a great point guard. Very old school and I respect that about him,” he said, per ClutchPoints' Ryan Ward. “And Brandon Ingram, I think he’s a bucket getter. I think he can give you 25, 30 points a night in the right situation.”

The Lakers agreed last week to send Ball, Ingram, Josh Hart, the No. 4 pick in this year's draft, and two future first-rounders to the Pelicans in exchange for Davis. Though New Orleans received a haul bigger than any other in recent memory for a stranded superstar, executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin may not be done making moves. The Pelicans are reportedly shopping the fourth overall pick in hopes of acquiring an established young impact player, and it wouldn't shock if any of the players involved in the Davis trade could be used as a sweetener to acquire a star like the Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal.

Williamson, the consensus National Player of the Year as a freshman, averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game last season, staking his claim as the best draft prospect since LeBron James in 2003.