2019 NBA Draft Lottery: David Griffin brings No.1 pick to New Orleans

World
Europe

At the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery at the Chicago Hilton on Tuesday, David Griffin, executive vice president of basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, snagged the No.1 pick for his franchise. By contrast, the New York Knicks, who finished the season with a 17-65 record after tanking, received the No. 3 pick.

This is the order for picks 1-14:

CGTN Photo by Zhang Tao

Pelicans: Who wants to trade Anthony Davis?

David Griffin, general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans, gets the No.1 pick for his team at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery at the Chicago Hilton, May 14, 2019. /VCG Photo

Having finished the 2018-19 season with a record of 33-49, New Orleans only had a six percent chance of getting the No.1 pick, yet they got it. While almost everybody was surprised, only the team's GM Griffin remained calm and cool - after all, he was the man who got the No.1 pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 with odds of 1.7 percent.

The last time the Pelicans had the same pick was in 2012 and they selected Anthony Davis back then. This time, the story will still be about him. There should not be any question that the Pelicans will select Zion Williamson with the pick and they hope it can help convince Davis to stay. Though according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Davis is still seeking departure, with such a valuable asset in the hands, the Pelicans are in a better position in any negotiation.

Knicks: We wasted another season for this?

Mark Tatum, Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, holds up the card for the New York Knicks which get the No.3 pick at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, May 14, 2019. /VCG Photo

By contrast, New York could not be happy with the Lottery result. The team did everything they could to make sure that they could lose as many games as possible and they managed to claim the most with 65 games so they will have the best chance of getting the No.1 pick (14 percent), though it meant they shared the same chance with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns.

The Knicks must come up with ways to maximize the value of the No.3 pick. Their best negotiating party will be the Pelicans who have both the right to choose Williamson and Anthony Davis who wants to leave. If the Knicks can sign Davis, they will not only have a foundation stone player, but also make themselves more attractive to free agents this summer including Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler and Kevin Durant.

Lakers: The No.4 pick is a tricky asset

Mark Tatum, Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, holds up the card for the Los Angeles Lakers which get the No.4 pick at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, May 14, 2019. /VCG Photo

The Los Angeles Lakers were another big winner at the Lottery on Tuesday. The team won 37 games this season and only had two percent, 6.7 percent and 9.4 percent chances to get the No.1, one of top three and one of top 10 picks respectively. Having the No.4 pick could be one of the best results for the purple and gold.

However, the Lakers will scratch their brain over how to use the pick. The team has been disappointing, if not terrible in youngster selecting and developing in recent years. Moreover, in a small draft year like 2019, it's hard to say how much value a No.4-pick player can have in the negotiation. The Lakers will probably call the Pelicans as well to discuss trading Davis but don't be surprised at any decision they will make because they are the team ridiculous enough to send Ivica Zubac to the Clippers for Mike Muscala.

Celtics: It's time to make a decision, again

Mark Tatum, Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, holds up the card for the Boston Celtics which get the No.14 pick at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, May 14, 2019. /VCG Photo

Though Boston only had the No.14 pick at the Lottery, the team pocketed a total of three first-rounders (No.14, No.20 and No.22) for the 2019 Draft. Other teams will again be jealous of the Boston that played the Conference Semifinals but were also able to choose three young men in the first round.

However, it's not necessarily good news for the Celtics. It has been years since the team has remained both competitive and in possession of enormous young assets. However, instead of competing for the NBA Championship, the Celtics ceased to get better - they are young and talented, but are also one big step away from becoming one of the league's top teams. Their painful losses to the Milwaukee Bucks again reminded the team that it's time to trade their chips into real star players before the chips lose their value.