What happened: The New Orleans Pelicans did not make a move to trade back into the first round of the NBA Draft. After being linked to a possible trade-up scenario, the front office held its picks rather than packaging assets to climb into the opening round.

Why it matters: Standing pat shapes how New Orleans approaches the rest of the offseason, keeping draft capital and roster flexibility intact for the 2026-27 season. It also signals the team may pursue veteran additions or future moves rather than spending assets on a first-round selection now.

What to watch: Watch whether the Pelicans pivot to free agency or a veteran trade to add talent for the 2026-27 season after declining to move up in the draft.