Following New Orleans' 21-61 finish during its 2024-25 campaign, executive vice president David Griffin was fired and replaced by Joe Dumars. Dumars confirmed that he didn't have a mandate to move on from Williamson after he was hired.

In his one year with Duke, Flagg, the 6-foot-9 freshman out of Newport, Maine, led the Blue Devils to a first-place finish in the ACC, tallying a 35-4 overall record. Averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, Flagg has become the clear choice as the top draft pick.

Williamson's appearance for the Pelicans at the lottery was a signal the team is working with its best player as they enter a new phase.