The Pelicans traded the 23rd pick and a 2026 unprotected first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks to select Queen, per ESPN's Shams Charania. He joins No. 7 pick Jeremiah Fears in the Pelicans draft class.

Derik Queen was selected 13th overall by Atlanta before reportedly being traded to New Orleans. Atlanta continued to make offseason moves, this time with a Draft-night trade agreement that sends 13th overall pick Derik Queen to the Pelicans, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Derik Queen, a 20-year-old Baltimore native and Terps star, was selected No. 13 overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2025 NBA draft.