The Los Angeles Lakers traded their 2025 first-round pick as part of the package to get Anthony Davis in 2019, and it was dealt for two other All-Stars before Drake Powell was selected on Wednesday evening. The Pelicans sent it to Atlanta for Dejounte Murray in 2024, and the Hawks just traded it to land Kristaps Porzingis. It was a whirlwind journey that further proves the Lakers' picks are valuable.
This is the final piece of the trade to acquire Anthony Davis from the Pelicans. New Orleans deferred the pick from 2024 to 2025 and it wound up 22nd overall. The Lakers don’t win the 2020 championship without AD or get Luka Doncic in [the stunning blockbuster trade](https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-blindsided-anthony-davis-shares-feelings-shocking-trade-mavericks). He will forever have a special place in franchise history, and this draft pick played a key role in acquiring the big man.
The Lakers went into June 25 with just the 55th selection in the 2025 draft. Fans knew they owed their pick from the Anthony Davis trade, but may be surprised to find out its journey to the Nets selecting Powell.
Lakers’ 1st round draft pick was traded for 3 All-Stars before the selection was made
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The selection was traded for AD, Kristaps, and Dejounte, who’ve made a combined 12 All-Star appearances and won two championships. It wound up in Brooklyn as the Celtics attempted to save money to dodge the second tax apron. It has been a wild week for the rival Celtics as they helped the Nets land the 22nd pick that was originally the Lakers.
Tracing back trades with multiple draft picks can get wild. The Lakers officially gave up Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, De’Andre Hunter, Brandon Ingram, Dyson Daniels, Isaac Bongo, Jemerrio Jones, Moritz Wagner, Kennedy Chandler, and Drake Powell to land Anthony Davis in that 2019 when factoring in who was selected with the picks. That is a massive haul that makes up for stealing Luka Doncic at a gigantic discount.
The Lakers would have loved to add a young talent to their roster, but such is the price of chasing stars. Luka Doncic gives them a shot to win any game, and he [is more motivated than ever](https://lakeshowlife.com/luka-doncic-can-stick-it-to-mavericks-one-more-time-with-lakers-offseason-plan) after the Mavericks dumped him. Expect LA to acquire a center to complement him and keep adding pieces to try to win it all in 2026.
The Los Angeles Lakers just saw their draft pick take quite the journey, but that is nothing new for the franchise. They have already traded their picks in 2027 and 2029, which could take similar routes before a player is selected. It may not be three All-Stars, but draft choices get moved around a ton in the modern NBA. Do not expect that to change anytime soon.