
Joe Dumars didn't waste much time making a bold move in his first draft as the New Orleans Pelicans' executive vice president of basketball operations.
Shortly after selecting Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick, the Pelicans traded up to No. 13 to draft former Maryland star Derik Queen. To do so, they sent the Atlanta Hawks the No. 23 pick and an unprotected 2026 first-round pick—a risky move considering the Pelicans' middling outlook for 2025-26 in a packed Western Conference and the loaded talent in next year's draft class.