Lakers send eighth pick in 2022 NBA Draft to Pelicans

In life, when someone wants to get ahead, they have to give something up.

For the Lakers to acquire superstar big man Anthony Davis and win the NBA championship, they had to part with three good players in Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart, plus some draft capital.

One of those draft picks will be used in next month’s draft, and on Tuesday, it came up as the eighth selection during the NBA draft lottery.

That pick will go to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Davis deal.

But coming into the lottery, they were not assured of keeping the pick.

Because of a trade they had made with the Memphis Grizzlies, they would’ve given up the pick if it had landed outside of the top 10.

As a result, the Pelicans had a funny message for the Lakers.

Because of Davis’ significant injuries the past two seasons, some Lakers fans are starting to regret trading for him, and they would rather have the draft capital and a rising star in Ingram, although it would’ve meant no ring in 2020.

But what’s done is done, and L.A. still boasts arguably the best duo in the NBA (when healthy).

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Lakers player season grades: Anthony Davis