New Pelicans head of basketball operations Joe Dumars has been very active, making three trades over the last nine days. He wound up with two lottery picks after moving the No. 23 pick and next year’s first-rounder to the Hawks for the No. 13 selection, with which he chose Maryland big man Derik Queen. Earlier, at the No. 7 spot, he chose Oklahoma point guard Jeremiah Fears.
Prior to the draft, Dumars agreed to deal CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk to the Wizards in exchange for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick in this year’s draft.
“It’s the only way I’ve ever had success in this league. I’ve been around aggressive teams my entire life,” Dumars said on Wednesday, per Will Guillory of The Athletic. “We’re going to be an aggressive team. We’re going to be an aggressive front office.”
Dumars explained why he selected Fears, who struggled with his long-range shooting in his lone college season at Oklahoma.
“I like his skill set. The ability to get anywhere on the court like that is a unique ability,” Dumars said. “If you’re going to be a really, really good team, you have to have guys who can compromise the other team’s defense. … When you do that, you’ve got a chance.”
As for moving up to take Queen, Dumars indicated he was pursuing trades to go up and get the Maryland standout as early as the No. 9 pick.
“I put his IQ for the game up against anybody in this draft. This is a super, super high-IQ guy,” Dumars said. “He finds people. He has the mentality of a guard. He’ll push it up. He’s just got unique skills for a 6-10 big.”
Here’s more on the Pelicans:
- Some draft pundits are questioning the fit of Queen with Zion Williamson, but the rookie is intent to show that Dumars made a wise decision, according to Rod Walker of NOLA.com. “It shows how much they wanted me and how much they believe in me,” Queen said. “I’m just ready to show them they got their money’s worth and ready to put on for the Pelicans.”
- Dejounte Murray is looking forward to blending his talents with the new additions. Dumars spoke with the combo guard on Wednesday and Murray requested the phone numbers of the newcomers, leading Dumars to describe Murray as “all in,” Guillory tweets. Dumars has also addressed with Murray some of the concerns the veteran guard expressed about his first season with the franchise during a recent podcast. Murray called it his “worst experience in the NBA,” not only because of his injuries issues – a broken hand and a torn Achilles – but numerous personal problems. He felt that he didn’t get the sort of support he needed from the previous regime. “The organization, it got bad, man,” he said. “As you guys can see, such and such got fired, another guy left, they brought new people in.”
- The addition of Queen addresses at least part of the concerns raised by the trade of Olynyk, as it left the Pelicans thin in the frontcourt. Guillory noted prior to the draft (Twitter link) that Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic were the only centers remaining on the roster.
What would he trade to Utah to get the team name “JAZZ” back??
We all know Utah is known for its jazz, just like how Los Angeles is the land of 10,000 lakes
And Memphis for their Grizzly Bears
Horrifying and Insane
Pelicans trade away 2026 unprotected first round pick for Maryland big man Derik Queen
How about Suns 2026 first round pick?
WAS has the right to swap its 2026 1st round pick, protected for selections 9-30, for PHX’s 2026 1st round pick;
Certainly aggressive
Horrifying — If Giannis is traded this summer
Pelicans unprotected pick: The 2026 pick will be the more favorable of the Pelicans’ own pick or the Milwaukee Bucks’ pick.
Someone needs to check Dumars. Griffin wasn’t that dumb.
I thought dumars would be a good GM since he was a great player and an executive for the NBA but these actions say otherwise
It’s like he’s trying to impress the pelicans owner by saying that they’ll contend next year and trading the unprotected 1st
Don’t forget Troy Weaver is part of that front office. The same guy who oversaw the dumpster fire that was Detroit prior to this season.
It’s a bad time to be a Pelicans fan.
Trade Zion …….. Phat guy must go.
Sabonis for Zion, Missi and a first.
Murray Poole Trey Herb Sabonis
Fears Jose Bey … Queen
Use FA to bring in a back up PF and this team is set. No more Zion and no more excuses.
You’ve got a top 5 centre paired with 3 20 points per game level scorers in Murray Poole and Trey Murphy. Herb Jones is one of the best defenders in the league. Murray was once second team all defence. Trey can defend, Jose and Bey on the bench can defend.
If Sabonis fails you then you’ve got Queen developing nicely behind him and same with Fears behind Murray.
As for the Kings
Need a PG LaVine Murray Zion and Missi
Carter Ellis Clifford … Valanciunas
Need to let go of Monk and DeRozan, add a starting point guard and then find a back up for Zion. But in terms of a young core you now have Carter Ellis Murray Zion, Missi and Clifford plus a future first from the Pels.
In terms of potential point guards there’s Schroder, Jones and Brogdan in FA. But maybe Josh Giddey via sign and trade, Jrue Holiday? Sexton? Marcus Smart?
Either way your younger, you’ve got the talent, there’s potential there it’s just about unlocking it and getting the players to put it all together.
Doubt there much of a market for Sabonis right now outside of this deal