2019–20 New Orleans Pelicans season


The 2019–20 New Orleans Pelicans season is the 18th season of the New Orleans Pelicans franchise in the National Basketball Association. On April 17, 2019, the Pelicans named David Griffin the executive vice president of basketball operations. On May 14, the Pelicans won the top draft choice, making it the second time in franchise history they won the lottery. Five days later, the Pelicans named former Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager Trajan Langdon their newest general manager, replacing interim general manager Danny Ferry.
During the offseason, the Pelicans made major roster changes. On June 15, 2019, they agreed to trade superstar power forward and perennial NBA All-Star Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers, in exchange for forward Brandon Ingram, guards Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, and three future first-round picks, as well as the right to swap first-round picks with the Lakers in 2023. Five days later, on June 20, the Pelicans selected Duke phenom Zion Williamson first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The season was suspended by the league officials following the games of March 11 after it was reported that Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. On June 4, the Pelicans were named as one of the 22 teams heading to Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the continuation of the NBA season.

Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege / Club
11Zion WilliamsonPF United StatesDuke
257Jordan BonePG United StatesTennessee

The Pelicans will hold the first pick in the draft this year due to them winning the NBA draft lottery, along with two second-round draft picks. On June 15, the Pelicans agreed to a trade involving star forward/center Anthony Davis where, in exchange for a few of the Los Angeles Lakers' young, promising players, they also acquired a multitude of first-round draft picks, one of which includes the fourth selection of this year's draft. However, the trade was not be finalized until July 6. On the night of the draft, the Pelicans agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Hawks, where they would give up the Lakers' fourth pick of the draft (which became De'Andre Hunter from the University of Virginia, their 57th pick, a future second-round pick, and Solomon Hill in exchange for Picks 8, 17, and 35. Just like their trade with the Lakers, however, this trade wasn't finalized until July 6.
With the #1 of the draft, New Orleans selected star power forward Zion Williamson from Duke University. In his only season in Duke, Williamson earned many honors and awards for his play, including the consensus National College Player of the Year. With the 39th pick, the Pelicans acquired Serbian power forward Alen Smailagić from the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League, but traded him to the Golden State Warriors for two future second-round picks and cash considerations. With the 57th pick, the Pelicans selected point guard Jordan Bone from the University of Tennessee. He would end up being traded to the Detroit Pistons after multiple trades.

Roster

Standings

Division

Conference

Game log

Preseason

Regular season

Transactions