In a significant turn of events during the NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans traded an unprotected first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks to secure the rights to Maryland forward Derik Queen, selected 13th overall. This aggressive approach has sparked mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike, with some labeling it a reckless gamble. Queen’s draft party celebrated his Baltimore roots, and he expressed excitement about representing his home state. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks made headlines by selecting Cooper Flagg first overall. The draft was filled with surprises and notable trades, reflecting a rapidly changing landscape in the league.