The New Orleans Pelicans had been shopping the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft ever since acquiring it as part of the Anthony Davis trade, and they apparently have found a taker.
The Atlanta Hawks are trading three picks in the 2019 draft to New Orleans and a protected 2020 first-round pick from Cleveland in order to move up to No. 4, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Here’s the breakdown of the trade, per Woj:
Hawks get: Picks Nos. 4 and 57 in 2019 draft, future second-round pick, Solomon Hill
Pelicans get: Picks Nos. 8, 17 and 35 in 2019 draft, protected first-round 2020 pick from Cleveland
The target of the Hawks is said to be De’Andre Hunter. In order to get him, they are absorbing the $12.7 million Hill is owed and giving an extra first-round pick to the Pelicans.
The Hawks made a trade last year and drafted Trae Young, who emerged as a rookie. Now they reportedly are set to pair him with Hunter, who helped lead Virginia to a national championship. They also have John Collins and Kevin Huerter, who are other players they recently drafted, and plenty of cap space moving forward.
New Orleans meanwhile continues to load up on picks after flipping the No. 4 slot they acquired from the Lakers. They will be able to make several more picks just by moving down four spots.
