Odds Say Pelicans Will Trade #4 Pick in 2019 NBA Draft
- The New Orleans Pelicans hold the no. 1 and no. 4 picks in Thursday’s NBA Draft
- New Orleans acquired the fourth overall selection in the trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers
- There is strong speculation that the Pelicans will deal the no. 4 pick
It seems like the hottest speculation heading into Thursday’s NBA Draft is that after the New Orleans Pelicans select Duke’s Zion Williamson first overall, they will then trade their fourth overall selection.
New Orleans only recently added the no. 4 pick in the trade that sent center/forward Anthony Davis to the Los Angles Lakers.
Are the Pelicans moving the pick? Sportsbooks are buying into the rumor mill. The sportsbook favors yes being the best bet in a prop wager asking whether New Orleans is going to deal the fourth overall selection.
Will the New Orleans Pelicans Trade the 4th Pick in the 2019 NBA Draft?
| Will the Pelicans trade the Fourth Pick in NBA Draft? | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | -200 |
| No | +150 |
*All odds taken 06/19/19
The Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, and Chicago Bulls have all been linked to trades for the no. 4 pick in recent speculation.
Where Will Pelicans Go With Four?
The strongest rumor regarding the fourth overall pick involves the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta is supposedly hot about getting late-rising Vanderbilt point guard Darius Garland into the fold.
Source: The Atlanta Hawks have been aggressive exploring trades packaging the No. 8 and 10 picks to move up in the draft. Their offer to the Knicks for the No. 3 pick was apparently rebuffed. The Pelicans are considering the possibility of trading the No. 4 pick for 8+10.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 18, 2019
According to published reports, the Hawks have been aggressive exploring trades packaging the no. 8 and 10 picks to move up in the draft.
Atlanta was rebuffed by the New York Knicks, who hold the no. 3 pick. That leaves New Orleans next in the pecking order.
The Pelicans will now have the No. 1 and No. 4 picks in this year's draft.
Here's a look at their potential starting 5 next season ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/HCwHu4gJ6V
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 15, 2019
The Bulls and Suns are also covet Garland, reasons why a deal for the fourth pick is something that intrigues them. New Orleans could play these teams against each other and drive up the price.
Does Dealing the Pick Make Sense?
The Pelicans added Lonzo Bell, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first-round picks from the Lakers. Williamson will officially join them on Thursday. That’s a solid, young core.
Once the Pelicans recognized how good Davis was, they made moves to attempt to accelerate their growth. It didn’t work and Davis told them he wanted out.
Might they be making the same mistake with Williamson?
If that Atlanta rumor is legit, the Pelicans should jump on that.
Whatever the case, it looks as though New Orleans is bound and determined to deal the pick.
Pick: Yes (-200)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
