The Pelicans are looking to add ready-to-play depth to their team after being decimated by injuries and trading away both Dyson Daniels and CJ McCollum in the past year, so New Orleans' draft picks could be crucial in the 2025-26 season.

As Tom Petty once said, “The waiting is the hardest part.” That’s never more true than on draft night. With five minutes between picks and, often, not a whole lot to do in between them, it can be torture for executives who are fixated on a particular player.

It sounds like some NBA front offices are happy to see Joe Dumars back in the league as the New Orleans Pelicans' executive vice president of basketball operations.