Draft gamble on Derik Queen defines Pelicans’ rebuilding push
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NEW ORLEANS — When rookie center Derik Queen logged a 33-point triple-double against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, he underlined exactly why the New Orleans Pelicans surrendered a future first-round pick to get him. The 20-year-old became the first rookie center in NBA history to reach 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in one game, even as the Pelicans fell 135-132 and slipped to a league-worst 3-22.
The deal that stunned draft night
On June 26, the Pelicans selected guard Jeremiah Fears at No. 7 before sending the No. 23 pick plus an unprotected 2026 first-rounder to the Atlanta Hawks for the 13th choice. That selection became Queen, a 6-foot-9 product of Maryland. Rival executives quickly questioned the price—“What the f— were they doing?” one Western Conference official told ESPN—yet executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars insists the move will pay off.
“I’m trying to build culture here with some really good young players, and I gave up some draft capital to do that,” Dumars said. “I love the two young players we have.”
A historic rookie tandem
Through 25 games, Queen and Fears have combined for the fourth-most points by a rookie duo in the past 15 seasons, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Fears, who turned 19 in October, is averaging 15.4 points, 3.1 assists and shooting 36.9 percent from three. He recently became the fourth-youngest player to score 20 or more in three straight outings, trailing only LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Cooper Flagg.
Queen, installed as a starter after Willie Green was dismissed on Nov. 14, owns averages of 12.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He has struggled from deep (2-for-18) but impressed opponents with feel and footwork. “He’s an old soul out there,” one Western Conference assistant said. “He knows when to speed up, when to slow down.”
Dumars’ busy first year
Dumars took over on April 16 and immediately reshaped the roster. He rehired former Pistons general manager Troy Weaver as senior vice president of basketball operations, reclaimed Indiana’s 2025 first-round pick in exchange for a 2026 selection, and sent CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-rounder to Washington for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick, later used on Micah Peavy. Injuries have stalled much of that plan: Zion Williamson is again sidelined, Poole has missed 18 games, and Dejounte Murray has yet to debut this season.
Learning on the fly
Veteran center DeAndre Jordan, who won a title with Nikola Jokić in Denver, has become Queen’s mentor. “He’s such a young talent … a point-center creating shots and playmaking,” Jordan said. Even Jokić saw similarities after Queen scored 30 points with nine rebounds against him on Nov. 19. “Slow, crafty,” the three-time MVP noted. “I can see it.”
Golden State forward Draymond Green also pulled Queen aside during a Nov. 16 matchup. “He’s got all the shimmies, the posts and great touch,” Green said. “He can be really good.”
Pressure and perspective
Queen hears the chatter about the draft haul that brought him to New Orleans. “I’ve been hearing it all my life,” he said. “People not liking me at one moment, then liking me later.” Fears is aware of the scrutiny surrounding his teammate. “As long as he knows what he can bring to the table and proves it every single time, there’s not really much you can say,” the rookie guard explained.
For now, the Pelicans have just one win in their past 16 games, but Dumars remains committed to his two foundational pieces. “We like what we have for the long term here,” he said.
Source: ESPN
