The New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in a unique spot for a team sporting a Western Conference–worst 10–34 record. The Pelicans are the only team with top-10 odds in the lottery that does not have rights to their own first-round pick this season, thanks to the 2025 draft night Derik Queen trade with Atlanta.
Queen has been good this season, but one area where he struggles is rebounding, largely due to his lack of size and average rebounding. If the Pelicans want to maximize Queen's future with the team, they should consider bringing in frontcourt help.
New Orleans should look to acquire a first-round pick as Morez Johnson Jr.