The New Orleans Pelicans traded up from No. 23 to No. 13 with the Atlanta Hawks to select Derik Queen. The Hawks acquire the No. 23 pick and the more favorable unprotected 2026 first round pick from either the Pelicans or Milwaukee Bucks.
The Pelicans were in the lottery last season, while the Bucks are at a crossroads with the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo while Damian Lillard will also miss most if not all of the 2025-26 season.
Queen gives the Pelicans another center after drafting Yves Missi at last year’s draft.