New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said he has no second thoughts about surrendering an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to climb from No. 23 to No. 13 in June’s draft and select center Derik Queen. The deal allowed New Orleans to leave draft night with two targets—guard Jeremiah Fears at No. 7 and Queen at No. 13—even though it meant parting with a potentially high choice owed to Atlanta.
“We were convinced both players could anchor our future, so we paid the price,” Dumars told ESPN. New Orleans is 3-22, making it increasingly likely that the Hawks will receive a top selection in 2026, yet Queen’s recent surge—highlighted by a 33-point, 10-rebound outing Monday—has bolstered internal confidence in the move.
Fears said outside chatter about the trade weighs on Queen but added that the rookie big man is intent on validating the front office’s faith every time he plays.
Injury Update
Guard Jordan Poole, sidelined since Nov. 4 with a left quadriceps strain, has been upgraded to questionable for Thursday’s home game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Poole missed the past 18 contests after starting four of New Orleans’ first seven games.
Houston Not Pursuing Morant
Despite losing starting point guard Fred VanVleet to a preseason ACL tear, the Houston Rockets have no plans to chase Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, league sources told The Athletic. Houston owns the NBA’s fourth-ranked offense with Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard and Aaron Holiday sharing lead-guard duties.
Johnson Remains Spurs’ Emotional Leader
Keldon Johnson continues to draw praise within the San Antonio Spurs for his energy and toughness. Though top-five picks Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper have joined the roster, coaches and teammates still refer to Johnson as the club’s “heart,” head coach Mitch Johnson said. The veteran forward has come off the bench in all 24 games, scoring in double figures 20 times, including 17 points in Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Source: Hoops Rumors
