The New Orleans Pelicans are poised to be one of the most active teams on draft day. With no first-round selection of their own in the 2026 NBA Draft, the front office, led by Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver, has signaled a clear intention to acquire a first-round pick before the evening’s selections begin.

Sharpshooting forward Trey Murphy III has become the focal point of trade conversations. After a season in which his shooting and versatility proved valuable, the Pelicans have shifted from a stance of rejecting offers to actively entertaining bids. The organization’s asking price is expected to include multiple first-round picks and a young player with upside, reflecting Murphy’s blend of age, upside, a team-friendly contract, and plug-and-play skill set.

Defensive stalwart Herb Jones is also drawing interest. Jones’ reputation as a perimeter defender has kept him on the radar of teams looking to bolster their two-way wing depth. Like Murphy, his trade value is likely to be measured in future draft assets, suggesting that the Pelicans would be willing to part with a veteran whose defensive impact outweighs his offensive contributions.

The underlying strategy appears to be a willingness to exchange proven talent for additional draft capital. By securing a first-round pick, the Pelicans could inject youthful talent into a roster that otherwise lacks early-round selections. This approach carries both upside, adding high-potential prospects, and risk, as trading away established contributors could leave the team thinner in the short term.

As the clock ticks toward the 8 p.m. ET start of the draft, New Orleans will be engaged in negotiations that could reshape its roster. Whether the Pelicans lock in a lottery pick or settle for later selections, the decisions made on draft day will signal the franchise’s direction for the next few years.

Ultimately, the Pelicans’ aggressive posture underscores a broader shift in the NBA landscape, where teams are increasingly willing to leverage veteran assets to acquire the kind of draft capital that can alter a franchise’s trajectory. The outcomes of these talks will reverberate across the league, influencing both trade partners and the future composition of the Pelicans’ roster.