The New Orleans Pelicans were active as they traded their own picks during the 2025 NBA Draft.
The New Orleans Pelican originally scored the 23rd pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, the Pelicans moved to 13th place.
how? Well, they engaged in trade with the Atlanta Hawks for their 13th pick. In exchange they gave up their 23rd pick and an unprotected first round pick of 2026 for the Hawks.
Nora did so to add Maryland Center Derrick Queen to the roster. Speaking of which, Queen appears to be overjoyed with the prospect of sharing the court with Zion Williamson.
The Pelicans appear to be all-in to build a competing roster around Williamson for the 2025-26 NBA season. After all, they’re already trading CJ McCollum for the Wizard of Washington in exchange for the Jordan Pool.
Trading to get the Queen seems like another move to improve the roster around Zion. For its value, the Queen appears to have crossed the moon after being traded with the Pelican, and Williamson is why.
“Along with Zion, he’s very dominant when he’s playing. He’s a murderer. I can’t wait to talk to him.
“I can’t wait to talk to him, pick his brain and ask him questions about the game. He’ll probably have me do my rookie duties.
“But I’m excited to have him as a teammate. He was an All-Star, so he did it. We have the same agent so it’s all going to work,” the former Maryland Center added.
In many cases, it is difficult to make a verdict on nighttime draft deals until those involved have spent some time in the NBA.
After all, that’s when the experts can judge the team. But if the Pelicans are trading for the Queen, Nick Wright has already given his verdict.
NBA analysts feel this is the “most reckless draft day trade” of the past five years. Now that’s a difficult verdict.
Despite the noise, Joe Dumar, Vice President of Basketball Operations, defended the controversial move. Dumars feels that Queen is a high IQ player with security mentality as a 6’10 inch center.
But again, as this move desperately needs a talented second star along with Zion, only time can tell whether this move is dangerous or will pay off for the Pelican.