Pelicans Pursue Top-10 Selection in 2026 NBA Draft
pelicans-pursue-top-10-draft-pick-2026
The New Orleans Pelicans are actively exploring deals to secure a lottery pick in next month’s NBA draft, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Team officials are reportedly targeting a specific prospect projected near the top 10.
New Orleans finished the 2025-26 campaign at 26-56, but its own lottery pick—No. 8 overall—belongs to the Atlanta Hawks. The selection was conveyed through last year’s trade that allowed the Pelicans to climb from No. 23 to No. 13 and draft Derik Queen after choosing Jeremiah Fears at No. 7.
Because the club neither owns its 2026 first-rounder nor any other picks in this draft, it must trade into the first round rather than merely trade up, a move that is expected to carry a significant cost in a highly regarded draft class.
Scotto reports that New Orleans has not specified which assets are on the table, but outside of Fears and Queen, forwards Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones are believed to hold the most value. Zion Williamson and rookie center Yves Missi could also draw interest; however, executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars has publicly ruled out moving Williamson, and Missi’s value dipped after losing his starting role late in the season.
The Pelicans still control a protected 2027 first-round pick (the more favorable of their own or Milwaukee’s) and all of their own first-round choices beginning in 2028, giving the front office multiple future selections to offer. Dumars leveraged similar assets last year despite the organization’s ongoing retooling effort.
Potential trade partners include the Golden State Warriors (No. 11), who have been linked to Murphy in prior reports, and the Milwaukee Bucks (No. 10), who could prioritize proven contributors like Murphy or Jones if they retain Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Hawks at No. 8 and the Dallas Mavericks at No. 9 are also viewed as possible options for New Orleans.
Source: HoopsRumors
