The New Orleans Pelicans are making moves on draft night — and Derik Queen is the priority.
Per Shams Charania, the Pelicans have acquired the No. 13 pick from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for:
- The No. 23 pick
- An unprotected 2026 first-round pick (most favorable of New Orleans or Milwaukee)
With the 13th selection, New Orleans snagged Derik Queen, the skilled big out of Maryland known for his polished post game, IQ, and floor vision. Queen adds depth and long-term upside to a Pelicans frontcourt that already features Zion Williamson, Larry Nance Jr., and Jonas Valančiūnas.
For Atlanta, this deal adds flexibility and a potentially high-value asset in 2026 while still allowing them to make a pick later in the first round. It’s a classic future-focused move by a Hawks front office looking to reload around Trae Young and new GM Onsi Saleh.
Meanwhile, New Orleans gets aggressive — clearly showing they believe Queen can be a foundational piece.
Pelicans Trade Up for Derik Queen at No. 13
📖 Blog Post:
The New Orleans Pelicans are making moves on draft night — and Derik Queen is the prize.
Per Shams Charania, the Pelicans have acquired the No. 13 pick from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for:
- The No. 23 pick
- An unprotected 2026 first-round pick (most favorable of New Orleans or Milwaukee)
With the 13th selection, New Orleans snagged Derik Queen, the skilled big out of Maryland known for his polished post game, IQ, and floor vision. Queen adds depth and long-term upside to a Pelicans frontcourt that already features Zion Williamson, Larry Nance Jr., and Jonas Valančiūnas.
For Atlanta, this deal adds flexibility and a potentially high-value asset in 2026 while still allowing them to make a pick later in the first round. It’s a classic future-focused move by a Hawks front office looking to reload around Trae Young and new GM Onsi Saleh.
Meanwhile, New Orleans gets aggressive — clearly showing they believe Queen can be a foundational piece.
