When David Griffin was fired and replaced by Joe Dumars in April, Pelicans fans were optimistic. Dumars was a former executive of the year with the Detroit Pistons and won 3 NBA championships, two as a player in Detroit, and one as a GM. However, his first offseason hasn't been as perfect as most fans hoped for.
The biggest move that has been criticized is the Pelicans trading up to draft Derick Queen. The 20-year-old out of Maryland was already viewed as a not-so-safe prospect because of the lack of potential he showed on the defensive end. So, when the Pels gave up a 2026 unprotected pick swap between NOLA and Milwaukee, as well as pick No.