Perfectly avoiding the correct answer? The two 26 first-rounders Dumars gave away during the offseason are increasingly valuable.

November 17th: US media HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto wrote an article reporting the inside story of the Pelicans firing Willie Green. He mentioned that the two transactions executed by Pelicans Executive Vice President of Operations Joe Dumars during the offseason are now widely questioned because he gave away two 26-year first-round picks that now look like they will be high picks in the draft.

During the Finals, before Haliburton was injured, the Pelicans and the Pacers reached a deal, sending the 2026 first-round pick (which originally belonged to the Pacers, and was sent to the Pelicans after being transferred to the Raptors) for the 25-year No. 23 pick and the signing rights of Mohave King. After Harry was injured and Turner left, the Pacers' first-round value became increasingly higher. Some people within the team and some executives in the league questioned why Dumars didn't wait until the last game of the finals to finalize the deal because there was no rush at the time.

In addition, the Pelicans also sent this year’s No. 23 pick and the 2026 unprotected first round to the Hawks in exchange for this year’s No. 13 pick (selecting Derek Quinn). According to reports, in this transaction, the Eagles couldn't believe that the Pelicans actually gave away an unprotected first round in 26 years. They repeatedly asked the other party to make it clear on the phone that this first round was unprotected, but the Pelicans insisted on the offer, and the Eagles finally agreed to the deal.

As the Pelicans' record becomes worse and worse, the value of this first round is also soaring. Although Quinn showed potential in his rookie season, the league generally believes that Dumars underestimated the 2026 first-round pick he sent in that deal.

Eastern Conference executives: When the Pelicans proposed sending 26 unprotected first-rounders, the Hawks confirmed it in disbelief