NBA: 5 biggest winners from the 2019 offseason period

NBA: 5 biggest winners from the 2019 offseason

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Patrick Beverley #21 and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers celebrate after they beat the Golden State Warriors during Game Two of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 15, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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NBA New Orleans Pelicans Zion Williamson (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans

It’s not often that teams trade their best player and still find themselves in the improved category, but the Pelicans proved to be an exception to that assertion.

Despite trading franchise cornerstone Anthony Davis, the Pelicans surprisingly had a strong offseason to offset the trade. While surrendering Davis to the Los Angeles, New Orleans received Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks. Ball, the No. 2 pick of the 2017 Draft, has flashed moments of talent that show his vast potential, yet injuries have kept him from being the franchise-changer the Lakers thought he would be.

Ingram, who was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, possesses a large amount of scoring ability, yet inconsistency and injuries have limited him as well.

The Pelicans used their three first-round picks on Duke phenom Zion Williamson, Texas center Jaxson Hayes, and Virginia Tech point guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, further accelerating their youth movement. Also, the team added veterans, Derrick Favors and J.J. Redick, to go with mainstay Jrue Holiday, giving the team legitimate playoff aspirations this season.

Kudos to the Pels from emerging as a huge winner during the NBA offseason shuffle.

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