The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly gearing up for another high-stakes gamble in the NBA Draft lottery, and league insiders are buzzing that the front office is willing to shake up the roster in a major way. Just months after a controversial trade sent futures picks flying, sources tell HoopsHype that the Pelicans are now aggressively pursuing a move into the top 10 of the 2026 NBA Draft — a move that could reshape the entire trajectory of the franchise.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, New Orleans is actively working the phones ahead of the June 23-24 draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, with one specific target reportedly in their sights. “The Pelicans are trying to trade into the lottery again in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft,” a league source told HoopsHype. “They have a particular player in the top-10 range they’re zeroed in on.” While the exact details of what the Pelicans are willing to offer remain murky, the mere possibility of another bold swing has rival executives watching closely.
The urgency stems from a painful 2025-26 season that saw New Orleans stumble to a 26-56 record, finishing as the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference. That dismal finish only amplified the sting of last year’s trade, when the Pelicans sent the No. 23 pick and their 2026 first-rounder to the Atlanta Hawks to move up to No. 13 and draft Derik Queen. As a result of that deal, the Hawks now own New Orleans’ No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft — a bitter pill that sources say has left the front office determined to reload.
Who Could Be on the Move?
If the Pelicans are serious about vaulting into the lottery, they reportedly have assets that opposing teams covet. League-wide chatter has centered on wings Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones as the most desirable trade chips. Murphy, a 38.2% career shooter from deep, is just 26 and has three years and $87 million left on his contract. Over the last two seasons, he’s averaged 21.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists — numbers that have made him a target for contenders. Jones, meanwhile, is widely regarded as one of the league’s premier wing defenders, with $82.49 million owed over the next four seasons (including a player option for 2029-30).
But it’s not just the veterans drawing interest. Former first-round pick Yves Missi was reportedly a hot commodity at the trade deadline, drawing inquiries from the Pacers, Hawks, Celtics, Knicks, Bulls, Lakers, and Raptors. Sources say the Pelicans demanded a first-round pick in return for Missi at the time — a stance that signals they are not exactly looking to give away young talent.
The Queen Factor
Despite the criticism that followed last year’s deal, Derik Queen quieted some doubters with a rookie campaign that showed real promise. The former Maryland big man averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.0 steal per game, shooting 47.3% from the field and 79.5% from the line across 81 appearances. His playmaking, especially for a rookie center, gave the Pelicans a glimpse of the long-term value they bet on. Still, the trade cost them a chance at a much higher pick this year — and that sting hasn’t faded.
As the draft looms less than two weeks away, the pressure is mounting on New Orleans’ front office to prove they can navigate out of a rebuild rather than dig deeper into it. Whether they can pull off another lottery move without further mortgaging the future is the question keeping fans and league insiders on edge.
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