Anthony Davis’ time with the New Orleans Pelicans may have come to a tumultuous end, but it could have been a completely different story if the team had made a different decision in the 2019 NBA Draft. In a recent interview, Davis revealed that the Pelicans had a chance to draft Ja Morant instead of Zion Williamson, and it could have changed the course of his final days with the team.
Back in 2019, Morant was emerging as a top prospect from Murray State University. His electrifying playmaking and scoring abilities had caught the attention of many NBA teams, including the Pelicans. And with Davis already established as a superstar in the league, pairing him with Morant seemed like a dream scenario for the Pelicans.
But as fate would have it, the Pelicans ultimately decided to draft Zion Williamson with the first overall pick. And while Williamson has proven to be a generational talent, Davis believes that Morant could have been the perfect fit for him and the team.
In his interview, Davis explained that he and Morant had a great connection during the draft process. He revealed that he even tried to recruit Morant to join the Pelicans, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out.
“I was trying to get Ja to come to New Orleans. I was trying to get him here,” Davis said. “Me and him had a great relationship during the draft process. He’s a great player, and I think he would have been a great fit for us.”
Davis’ revelation sheds light on the potential dynamic duo that could have been formed in New Orleans. Morant’s explosive style of play, combined with Davis’ dominance in the paint, would have been a nightmare for opposing teams. It’s a missed opportunity that will now only live in the realm of “what-ifs.”
But the biggest question is, would Morant have been a better fit for the Pelicans than Zion Williamson? While Williamson has shown flashes of brilliance, his playing style doesn’t necessarily complement Davis’. Both players thrive in the paint, and having two dominant big men on the court at the same time could have caused spacing issues and hindered their effectiveness.
On the other hand, Morant’s ability to create plays and score from anywhere on the court could have opened up more opportunities for Davis. The two could have formed a lethal pick-and-roll combination, with Morant’s passing skills and Davis’ finishing ability.
Moreover, Morant’s humble and hardworking attitude would have been a perfect fit for the Pelicans’ culture. He has shown immense growth and improvement in just his second year in the league, and it’s not hard to imagine him thriving alongside Davis.
But despite the missed opportunity, Davis holds no grudges against the Pelicans for choosing Williamson over Morant. He understands that Williamson is a once-in-a-generation talent and believes that the Pelicans made the right decision for the future of the franchise.
“I think Zion is going to be a great player in this league for a long time,” Davis said. “I think he’s going to be a franchise player. And I think New Orleans made the right choice with him.”
In the end, Davis’ revelation only adds to the “what-if” scenarios in sports. But it also serves as a reminder of the fine line between success and failure in the NBA. One decision can change the course of a team’s future, and in this case, it could have changed the narrative of Anthony Davis’ time in New Orleans.
But as Davis moves on to his new team, the Los Angeles Lakers, he can only look back and wonder what could have been if he had the chance to play alongside Ja Morant. Nevertheless, he remains focused on the present and the opportunity to create a new dynamic duo with LeBron James.
The NBA is full of “what-ifs,” but we can only appreciate the players and teams that make the best of the decisions they are presented with. And in the end, that’s all that matters.
