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A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 18 June 2019

Pelicans primed to draft Zion -- and another top-5 prospect

By BRETT MARTEL also,” Gentry said. “It’s hap-
AP Sports Writer pened almost every year
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Now and that’s where Steve
that six-time All-Star Antho- Nash and Kobe Bryant and
ny Davis’ trade request has Giannis (Antetokounmpo)
been honored, it’s time for and those guys were all
the New Orleans Pelicans drafted — in that area
to start a new era by draft- right there. So, somewhere
ing the next face of the along the line, there’s go-
franchise. ing to be some surprise
Duke star Zion Williamson is guys that’ll step up that’s
widely seen as the top pro going to become really
prospect to enter any NBA good basketball players.”
draft since Davis in 2012, A handful of prospects
and the Pelicans — thanks stand out as possible fourth
to an unlikely NBA draft overall picks, and the posi-
lottery victory last month tion they play could be a
— have the right to select factor.
him first overall on Thursday The Davis trade brought
night. New Orleans highly regard-
While new Pelicans execu- ed small forward Brandon
tive vice president of bas- Ingram, point guard Lonzo
ketball operations David In this Jan. 5, 2019, file photo, Duke’s Zion Williamson (1) dunks during the second half of an NCAA Ball and shooting guard
Griffin and coach Alvin college basketball game against Clemson, in Durham, N.C. Josh Hart. Ball and Ingram
Gentry have declined to Associated Press would be presumed starters
announce their draft in- Durant with Texas in 2007. And this draft could have a subsequent trade on be- alongside veteran guard
tentions, Gentry chuckled While Williamson has yet to enormous, long-term im- half of the Pelicans by draft Jrue Holiday and William-
when describing the pres- exhibit consistent outside plications for New Orleans night. And while deciding son at power forward. The
sure to get the decision shooting, he has displayed even beyond the addition whether to select William- only true center on the ros-
right as “Really very little. a dominant mix of power, of Williamson because of son isn’t bound to cause ter is Jahlil Okafor. Forward
Minimal, OK? I think we’ll quickness and skill that has the bounty of first-round any mental anguish or sec- Julius Randle also can play
make the right decision.” convinced scouts of his ex- draft choices the Pelicans ond guesses, deciding who center, but is essentially a
The ability to make that traordinary promise as a are to receive from the Los to pick fourth overall could free agent with a player
first pick this year “gives a pro. Angeles Lakers as part of be a much tougher call. option to return for next
boost to our franchise right He averaged 22.6 points the Davis deal . Gentry noted that while season. Christian Wood, a
away,” Gentry said. “We’re per game at Duke and also The trade — which also sent most drafts have just a few 6-10 forward who thrived
going to end up with a real- was voted to the ACC’s a total of three first-round elite prospects, there often in his short, late-season
ly good basketball player.” All-Defensive Team after picks to the Pelicans — are future stars mined from stint with the Pelicans, also
The Pelicans even posted a averaging 8.9 rebounds, won’t become official until mid- to late-first-round picks could play center.
compilation of Williamson’s 2.12 steals and 1.8 blocked after the new NBA league — never mind a second Texas’ Jaxson Hayes (6-
Duke highlights on their of- shots per game. He leaves year begins July 6. But top-five choice like New 11, 220) is widely seen as
ficial website. Duke as the holder of sev- when the Lakers pick fourth Orleans has acquired. the top center in the draft,
The 6-foot-7, 285-pound eral freshman records, in- overall, they will effectively “There is the high end, front but not necessarily a top-
Williamson was just the sec- cluding single-game scor- select for the Pelicans and end of the draft, but there’s five talent, so free agency
ond freshman to be a con- ing after his 35-point out- eventually will send that going to be a guy that’s might be the more practi-
sensus national player of burst against Syracuse in player to New Orleans — drafted 14 to 25 that’s go- cal route for the Pelicans to
the year, along with Kevin January. unless that pick is moved in ing to be a game changer pursue an upgrade there.q

For fantasy sports players, Harden is the NBA MVP

By JIMMY GOLEN that the fantasy sports site best value play of the year. He
AP Sports Writer announced on Monday. played in only 20 games and
BOSTON (AP) — Giannis Harden also had the best had a total of 75 points this
Antetokuonmpo may have performance of the season, season, but he scored 37 with
helped his team win 60 when he totaled 99.75 fan- nine assists and six rebounds
games and earn the No. 1 tasy points against the New in one game on April 10
seed in the NBA during the York Knicks on Jan. 23, a game against the Sacramento Kings
regular season. In fantasy in which he had season highs — netting 66 fantasy points at
sports, James Harden was of 61 points and 15 rebounds, the site for a salary of $3,000.
the biggest winner, register- along with four assists and — Toronto Raptors forward
ing the most points over the five steals. Pascal Siakam was the most
2018-19 season to claim NBA Other awards went to: improved player. He added
Most Valuable Player honors — Dallas Mavericks guard 1,261 points to his total over
from DraftKings. Harden av- Luka Doncic for rookie of the last season despite playing in
eraged 64.53 fantasy points year. He averaged more than just two more games than last
per game, about 5 more than 44 fantasy points per game to year. Runner-up De’Aaron Fox
Russell Westbrook and 7 In this April 17, 2019, file photo, Houston Rockets guard James beat Trae Young and Deandre and third place JaVale McGee
Harden (13) drives against Utah Jazz forward Royce O’Neale
more than Antetokuonmpo. (23) during the first half of Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball Ayton. added more but also played
Nikola Jokic and Paul George playoff series in Houston. — Portland Trail Blazers guard in eight and 10 more games,
rounded out the first team Associated Press Anfernee Simons was the respectively.q