Six years have passed since the New Orleans Pelicans traded Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers in a franchise-altering blockbuster.
The Lakers surrendered Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks to acquire the superstar big man.
While this deal didn’t involve as many first-round picks as Desmond Bane trade or other mega-trades like Mikal Bridges or Kevin Durant, it fundamentally changed both franchises’ trajectories.
The Lakers found the perfect complement to LeBron James, with Davis helping deliver the 2020 NBA championship.
For New Orleans, this marked the transition from the Davis era to the Zion Williamson era, built around their 2019 number one draft pick.
Though Davis was later traded to Dallas for Luka Doncic, the original deal’s impact continues reverberating throughout the league.
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The core players have all found new homes
None of the three primary players remain with the Pelicans today, each taking dramatically different career paths since leaving New Orleans.
Lonzo Ball spent two seasons in New Orleans, posting his career-high 14.6 points per game during the 2020-21 campaign.
The Pelicans traded him to Chicago in 2021 through a sign-and-trade deal, receiving Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple, and draft picks. Ball remains with the Bulls, though injuries have limited his recent impact.
Brandon Ingram enjoyed the longest tenure among the trio, spending nearly six years in New Orleans and earning both an All-Star selection and the NBA Most Improved Player award.
However, the Pelicans traded him to Toronto in February this year, receiving Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a first-round pick, and a second-rounder in return.
Josh Hart lasted just two and a half seasons in New Orleans before joining the CJ McCollum trade that sent him to Portland.
Hart was subsequently dealt to the New York Knicks in 2023, where he’s become a crucial piece in their recent success alongside Jalen Brunson and has emerged as one of the league’s most valuable role players.
2019 first-round pick: Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander Walker, Didi Louzada
The 2019 first-round pick situation proved complicated and ultimately disappointing for New Orleans.
The Pelicans’ fourth overall pick from the Lakers was traded to Atlanta for DeAndre Hunter, with New Orleans receiving the eighth, 17th, and 35th selections in return.
Jaxson Hayes (8th pick) spent four seasons in New Orleans before ironically signing with the Lakers in 2023, reuniting with Davis and LeBron.
Hayes never developed into the rim-running threat the Pelicans envisioned, averaging just 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds during his New Orleans tenure.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17th pick) had an even shorter stay, lasting just two seasons before being included in the Josh Hart trade package to Portland, then immediately dealt to Utah.
He found stability with Minnesota in 2023, becoming a valuable role player supporting Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves’ physical style of play.
Didi Louzada (35th pick) never made a meaningful NBA impact, playing fewer than 10 games per season before returning to play professionally in Brazil.
2022 first-round pick: Dyson Daniels
The 2022 first-round pick yielded Dyson Daniels (8th overall), a promising prospect from the NBA G League Ignite program.
However, his potential failed to materialize in New Orleans, leading to his trade to Atlanta in 2024.
The irony stings for Pelicans fans: Daniels won NBA Most Improved Player and earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors in his first season with the Hawks.
His breakout performance highlighted New Orleans’ inability to develop young talent effectively.
2024 first-round pick: DeJounte Murray
The Pelicans used their deferred 2024 Lakers pick (originally scheduled for 2025) to acquire DeJounte Murray from Atlanta in the same trade that sent Daniels away.
Murray averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in his first New Orleans season, providing veteran leadership the franchise desperately needed.
The trade’s legacy reveals two franchises’ different fortunes
Six years later, the Anthony Davis trade represents a clear win for the Lakers and a missed opportunity for New Orleans.
While Los Angeles parlayed Davis into an immediate championship, the Pelicans have struggled to maximize their substantial return.
The franchise received significant assets for Davis but failed to build a sustainable winner around Zion Williamson, who has dealt with constant injury concerns.
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