The New Orleans Pelican confronted critical criticism after deciding on Derrick Queen on the thirteenth decide within the NBA Draft.
To win that decide, the Pelican despatched the Atlanta Hawks their twenty third decide and an unprotected first-round decide of 2016. Dropping that decide hurts while you assume that the Pelican may grow to be a lottery-level workforce once more.
Derrick Queen is a good participant price buying and selling up, however the state of affairs shouldn’t be in Pelican’s favor. Except they draw back from the very best 2025-26 common season, this may very well be a horrible commerce.
Joe Dumar, the brand new president of basketball operations, caught nearly all of shootings. This consists of Invoice Simmons tearing it into commerce, however Dumars himself defended the choice.
He spoke about how the Queen is price it and the way he has all of the strengths the New Orleans Pelican wants.
For the Queen, he hopes that extra folks will discuss him, not the misplaced first spherical decide. He is able to show everybody flawed and set up himself as one of many high gamers in his class.
When the Pelicans face criticism, the Queen is in the course of the Crossfire. Sadly, he’s the main focus of discourse apart from Dimmer.
However fortunately for Pelican followers, Queen makes use of it as a motive to assist him in his profession. It is pure that he’s extra defensive, as he desires to show he is the appropriate decide.
“Little question. I do not assume anybody in that class is best than me. I block all of the noise. He has lots of religion in me. The general public I beat in highschool mentioned at his introductory press convention.
“It actually would not matter, however you simply must hold going, as a result of the NBA is in a totally totally different degree, so it’s important to hold doing it higher.
“Do not get too large, do not get too low. Beat them subsequent 12 months and make Joe appear like a genius.”
He performs with a microscope, in order that’s the easiest way to consider it. He desires to solidify himself sufficient to show that critics are flawed.
The workforce is making an enormous transfer as they traded CJ McCollum for Jordan Pool within the 2025 offseason. On the identical time, Queen is only one of New Orleans’ three choices within the 2025 NBA Draft.
They selected Jeremiah’s worry from Oklahoma on their seventh total decide. He was a Lightning Fast Level Guard with unbelievable potential and excelled in school as a high participant who led the workforce in a protracted, unbeaten run.
The ultimate rookie was Mika Peebee, Washington Wizard’s fortieth total decide. He’s a promising participant who’s a professional two-way expertise. Peaby may be stolen as a part of the McCollum and Pool commerce.
The Pelicans have low expectations, however the workforce is poised to show everybody flawed. Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III shall be stars, however this set of newcomers is hungry for achievement.