Los Angeles Lakers news: There is no doubt that Anthony Davis stands as one of the greatest players in New Orleans Pelicans franchise history. The former No. 1 overall pick pretty much put the Pelicans (or the Hornets during his rookie year) on the map with his elite level of play for seven memorable seasons. In fact, it was AD who led the charge for the Pelicans in only their second time to the Western Conference Semifinals back in 2018.
As it turns out, however, it was another first-overall pick that forced Davis out of New Orleans. That dude was Zion Williamson.
Ex-Los Angeles Lakers Stud Julius Randle Spills on Anthony Davis’ New Orleans Exit
Julius Randle, who crossed paths with Davis in New Orleans during the 2018-19 season, recently spoke about how the arrival of Williamson changed everything for the Pelicans. Randle, who joined the Pels as a free agent that previous summer after a four-year stint with the Lakers, ended up leaving New Orleans after just one season. He left at the same time as Davis did, as the latter made his way to Hollywood via a blockbuster trade deal.
According to Randle, Davis knew that he was on his way out the moment the Pelicans won the lottery for the 2019 NBA Draft:
“By the time I got to New Orleans, I think they got the No. 1 pick,” Randle said on a recent episode of the Roommates Show podcast. “[Davis] was like, ‘I’m out of here.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m out of here, too.'”
Julius Randle says Anthony Davis told him “I’m outta here” after New Orleans landed the #1 pick
“I was like ‘I’m outta here too’” 😂😂😂
(🎥 @Roommates__Show / https://t.co/2sf6HnZDTn) pic.twitter.com/CTttspyXEQ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 21, 2024
At that point, there was no doubt that the Pelicans were going to use the No. 1 pick on Williamson. Both Davis and Randle knew that this was going to be Zion’s team for the foreseeable future and that the time had come for them to move on.
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