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Jan 15, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, left, center Yves Missi, and forward Herbert Jones (2) watch from the bench during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Pelicans Predicted to Miss Out on Elite Talent After Controversial Trade

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 2:01 PM ET

The New Orleans Pelicans had an eventful 2025 NBA Draft, but partly for the wrong reasons. The Pelicans made a splash by taking Jeremiah Fears with the seventh overall pick, and the talented 18-year-old guard is expected to make a huge impact.

However, once the Pelicans got out of the top ten, things got shaky. The Pelicans owned the 23rd overall pick, but they had their eyes on a lottery prospect. So, the new head of basketball operations, Joe Dumars, and the Pelicans' front office made a controversial move.

Pelicans-Hawks draft night trade

The Pelicans made a deal with the Atlanta Hawks to move up to pick 13 in exchange for pick 23 and a 2026 first-round pick swap, which will be the most favorable pick between the Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks. All in all, the Pelicans traded up to draft Derik Queen, but gave up the 23rd overall pick (Asa Newell) and practically an unprotected first-round pick in next year's draft.

The Hawks’ front office “could not believe” the Pelicans were including next year’s unprotected 1st-round pick in their draft day trade, per @FearTheBrown

They even called Joe Dumars directly to triple check, and the Pelicans GM confirmed his interest. (h/t @YourManDevine) pic.twitter.com/3Svy37aP27
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 3, 2025

Sure, Queen could be a great player, but unless the Pelicans make a significant jump in the 2025-26 season, they likely traded away a lottery pick, or potentially a top-five pick, to acquire him.

Who will the Pelicans miss out on?

ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo released an early 2026 NBA mock draft, and they predicted that the Pelicans will miss out on a top talent because of the disastrous trade.

Washington Wizards - G Darryn Peterson
Utah Jazz - F A.J. Dybantsa
Brooklyn Nets - F Cameron Boozer
Charlotte Hornets - F Nate Ament
Sacramento Kings - G Mikel Brown Jr.
Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX) - F Jayden Quaintance
Chicago Bulls - F Karim Lopez
Atlanta Hawks (via NO) - F Caleb Wilson
Memphis Grizzlies - G Dame Sarr
Miami Heat - G Dash Daniels

Pamela Smith-Imagn Images

Caleb Wilson is entering his freshman season with the North Carolina Tar Heels, and the 19-year-old forward is expected to already be one of the best players in college basketball. With a 6-foot-9 frame, a 7-foot-4 wingspan, and elite athleticism, Wilson is a freak of nature on both sides of the ball and will continue to improve his game throughout a one-and-done year at UNC.

caleb wilson is an absurd vertical athlete which leads to some insane sequences like these, blocks yessoufou and then throws down a disgusting poster

6'9, 7'4 WS with his explosiveness and instincts is terrifying, his defense should be phenomenal this season pic.twitter.com/AOJ9M3nl2W
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) July 9, 2025

The 2026 NBA Draft class is completely loaded, but unfortunately for the Pelicans, they will miss out on a top talent. Of course, there is a chance that the Pelicans make a playoff push anyway, especially with a core group of Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, Yves Missi, Herb Jones, and Jeremiah Fears, but if they fall flat, they do not have a first-round pick to fall back on.

This article first appeared on New Orleans Pelicans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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