The Pelicans are looking to add ready-to-play depth to their team after being decimated by injuries and trading away both Dyson Daniels and CJ McCollum in the past year, so New Orleans' draft picks could be crucial in the 2025-26 season.

As Tom Petty once said, “The waiting is the hardest part.” That’s never more true than on draft night. With five minutes between picks and, often, not a whole lot to do in between them, it can be torture for executives who are fixated on a particular player.

Joe Dumars was given the reins to the Pelicans franchise in April and just three months in, things are off to a dubious start. New Orleans traded the No. 23 overall pick, which turned into Georgia big man Asa Newell, and their 2026 unprotected first-round pick in exchange for the Hawks’ No. 13 selection.