NBA Survey: Insiders say Pelicans’ offseason absolute worst

Not every team left league insiders impressed. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, the Pelicans drew more criticism than anyone else in his survey of 20 coaches, scouts and executives. And it wasn’t particularly close.

The Votes

• New Orleans Pelicans: 9

• Phoenix Suns: 4

• Sacramento Kings: 2

• Chicago Bulls: 1

• Los Angeles Lakers: 1

• Memphis Grizzlies: 1

• Philadelphia 76ers: 1

• Portland Trail Blazers: 1

The Pelicans drew the ire of nearly half the panel. The draft night move to overpay for Derik Queen didn’t sit well, nor did swapping out CJ McCollum’s expiring deal for Jordan Poole.

“I just don’t get what they are doing,” one East executive told Bontemps of the moves headed by new chief of basketball operations Joe Dumars.

The Suns and Kings also took some hits, with their overall direction called into question.

“Whatever chance they may have had is gone now,” another East executive said of Phoenix.

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