The New Orleans Pelicans are planning to defer the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round pick until 2025, clearing the way for the Lakers to select 17th overall in the 2024 NBA draft, sources told ESPN on Friday.
The Pelicans — who have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Saturday to formally inform the NBA of the decision — had the choice to use or defer the pick a year as part of the Anthony Davis trade in 2019. This is the final of three first-round picks that the Lakers owe to the Pelicans in the deal.
David Griffin, New Orleans executive vice president of basketball operations, informed Lakers VP and general manager Rob Pelinka of his intentions Friday, sources said. The Lakers possess the Nos. 17 and 55 picks in the June 26-27 draft. New Orleans still holds the No. 21 pick in the 2024 draft.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.