Anthony Davis Wanted Ja Morant Over Zion Williamson for Pelicans in 2019 Draft

Davis envisioned a backcourt of Morant and Jrue Holiday, but Pelicans GM Griffin opted for Williamson instead.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:03am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting basketball players and draft prospects in overlapping, angular forms, conveying the complex decision-making process behind the Pelicans' 2019 draft selection.A cubist interpretation of the 2019 NBA Draft, where the Pelicans' decision to select Zion Williamson over Ja Morant continues to shape the franchise's trajectory.New Orleans Today

In a recent interview, former New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis revealed that he had urged the team's general manager, David Griffin, to select Ja Morant over Zion Williamson with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Davis believed Morant would have been a better fit alongside Jrue Holiday, but Griffin ultimately decided to take Williamson, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career so far.

Why it matters

This story provides insight into the decision-making process behind the Pelicans' 2019 draft selection, which has had a significant impact on the team's trajectory over the past few seasons. It also highlights the differing perspectives between a star player like Davis and the team's front office leadership.

The details

According to Davis, he envisioned a backcourt of Morant and Holiday, believing that would have been a better fit for the Pelicans at the time. However, Griffin was adamant about selecting Williamson, even though Davis expressed concerns about how the two would work together on the court, as they play the same position. The Pelicans ultimately chose Williamson with the first pick, while Morant went to the Memphis Grizzlies at number two.

  • In the 2019 NBA Draft, the Pelicans selected Zion Williamson with the first overall pick.
  • Ja Morant was selected second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.

The players

Anthony Davis

A former star player for the New Orleans Pelicans, who now plays for the Washington Wizards.

Ja Morant

The second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, who was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies and has since become a rising star in the league.

Zion Williamson

The first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, selected by the New Orleans Pelicans, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career so far.

David Griffin

The general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans at the time of the 2019 NBA Draft.

Jrue Holiday

A veteran point guard who played for the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 draft.

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What they’re saying

“If you can get Ja Morant at (number) one, then we've got a real conversation going on because I know how we can help our team with Jrue. Jrue gotta handle the ball, he loves to get people involved, but like, 'Jrue, go score.' We got somebody else who can do that now and play-make (if we get Morant).”

— Anthony Davis, Former Pelicans Star

“But he (Griffin) was like, he can't, he's gotta take Zion. I just didn't see at the time where Zion and I would work. We're playing the same position. At this time, I would only play the four.”

— Anthony Davis, Former Pelicans Star

What’s next

The Pelicans will look to build around Zion Williamson and Jrue Holiday in the upcoming offseason, as they aim to return to the playoffs and compete for a championship.

The takeaway

This story highlights the complex decision-making process involved in the NBA draft, where differing perspectives between star players and front office executives can lead to vastly different outcomes. It also underscores the challenges the Pelicans have faced in developing Zion Williamson, who has struggled with injuries, and the potential missed opportunity of pairing Ja Morant with Jrue Holiday.