Part 6/11:
Perhaps the most alarming aspect is the team's roster moves and strategic decisions during the offseason. General Manager Joe Dumars—the team’s new hire after parting ways with David Griffin—embarked on bold trades and draft maneuvers that now seem ill-advised.
Most controversially, the Pelicans traded away two unprotected first-round picks in hopes of acquiring a specific player—Derrick Quesn—who, while promising, doesn't seem to fit well alongside Zion and the team's core. The aggressive draft capital moves included swapping their 2026 first-round pick (which has become more valuable as it is projected to be a lottery pick given the Pacers' struggles) to rise from the 23rd to the 13th pick in the draft, then selecting Derrick Quesn.