Nearly two months have passed since the 2025 NBA Draft, and there still is no logical explanation for the Pelicans' decision to send the Atlanta Hawks an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to move up 10 spots to select Derik Queen with the No. 13 pick. New Orleans' decision to do so looks even worse than it did after Queen's summer league struggles, which ended with him having surgery on his wrist.
Queen underwent surgery in mid-July and will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks, during training camp/preseason. He may miss the start of the regular season.
The Hawks selected Asa Newell with the No. 23 pick they received from the Pelicans. Newell did well at summer league, making New Orleans further regret its decision to trade up in the first place. Yes, it was just summer league, and yes, it's still far too early to say selecting Queen was a bust, but it's not too early to say that the Hawks won the trade, solely because of the 2026 first-round pick.
Hawks' draft night trade with the Pelicans looks even better
The trade marked the beginning of what has turned out to be an excellent offseason for Atlanta. The Hawks traded for/signed players that fit perfectly around Trae Young, who is extension-eligible but is unlikely to sign a new deal this summer. If you can look past that, things are going well.
The Pelicans can't say the same. New Orleans left the draft with two lottery picks — Jeremiah Fears and Queen — but they're in a position where they need to win now. Queen's bad injury luck isn't a good sign for a team that has struggled to stay healthy, particularly their star player, Zion Williamson.
Newell would've fit better in New Orleans than Queen, but the Pelicans jumped the gun and made an irrational move that didn't take long at all (as soon as it was reported) to look bad.
The pick that the Hawks received will be the more favorable between New Orleans and Milwaukee. As things stand right now, there is a good chance that will be a high pick, considering the Pelicans and Bucks' troubles. It will be a surprise if it isn't a lottery pick.
Atlanta is happy to be the recipient of New Orleans' mismanagement in a trade that it probably thought was too good to be true at first. It still feels too good to be true, but it's real.