The New Orleans Pelicans knew the risks.
When they traded an unprotected 2026 first-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks for the rights to rookie forward Derik Queen, there was always the possibility that the deal would blow up in their face. Even though For The Win’s Bryan Kalbrosky liked Queen as a prospect and fit for New Orleans, the risk was obvious. Now, as the rudderless Pelicans reportedly consider firing fifth-year coach Willie Green before we even leave the month of October, there’s a distinct possibility that the first-round selection eventually becomes the No. 1 overall draft pick in a 2026 class that features three potential superstar prospects at the top.
In other words, unless the Pelicans turn their season around in a hurry, there’s a good chance the pick becomes the NBA’s most valuable team-building asset this season.
And the Pelicans won’t be able to enjoy the benefits. The Hawks will. You reap what you sow.
While any one of Kansas shooting guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer, or BYU forward A.J. Dybantsa would be a boon to the Hawks, it might be Peterson who is the most intriguing. Here’s Kalbrosky again on what Peterson can bring to the next level in his early 2026 NBA mock draft from mid-July:
“Incoming Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson is simply too talented to pass up if he is available. The Naismith Prep Player of the Year and McDonald’s All-American co-MVP is everything you could want in a prospect with tremendous length and skill as a projectable star.”
Boy, that sure sounds like a potential franchise talisman the Pelicans could’ve used to finally leave NBA Purgatory! Oh, well. Their loss is the Hawks’ tremendous gain. All’s well that doesn’t end well for one of the NBA’s worst teams so far, I guess.