The Atlanta Hawks were considered the biggest winners of the 2025 NBA Draft before they even made a selection, thanks to the trade the front office made with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Just so they could move up 10 spots to select former University of Maryland standout Derik Queen, the Pelicans offered the Hawks their unprotected 2026 first-round pick. While the deal seemed like an absolute steal for Atlanta at the time, it only looks better now after the latest bit of injury news out of New Orleans.
Hawks' Home Run Trade Looks Even Better After Derik Queen Injury
The Pelicans weren't expected to be much of a contender in the Western Conference before making this trade on draft night. Now, Queen is sidelined for a minimum of 12 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist.
New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derik Queen, who was part of a draft-night trade with the Atlanta Hawks, underwent wrist surgery Friday and will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks.
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) July 18, 2025
🔗https://t.co/rli3wWFsVn
That timeline means Queen will miss all of training camp and the entire preseason. His availability for the start of the regular season is now in question as well. The rookie big man joins Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, and Dejounte Murray as the trio also underwent offseason surgery and will be recovering from those respective procedures leading up to the start of camp on Oct. 1.
The 2026 NBA Draft is expected to be one of the strongest in recent memory. The fact that New Orleans already has key players facing injury issues, along with those low expectations, should set Atlanta up with what could easily be a top-5 pick, or better, in a draft that should have plenty of future stars available to be picked.
It is still far too soon for the Hawks to take a victory lap over the outcome of this trade. However, given the way things are already seeming to go for the Pelicans, there could be reason for a big celebration in Atlanta on draft lottery night next May.