The New Orleans Pelicans fell 98-91 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their opening contest of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on Thursday.
However, first-round picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen showed flashes of why the Pels drafted the Oklahoma and Maryland products seventh and 13th overall, respectively, in the 2025 NBA Draft just over two weeks ago.
Fears scored 14 points, showcasing his raw scoring ability, but was just 4-for-12 from the field and 1-for-4 from deep while committing seven turnovers. He also tallied two rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.
Fear’s lone made three came on the Pelicans’ third possession of the game, giving New Orleans an early 4-0 lead at the time.
The 18-year-old is still clearly a work in progress, but his potential is undeniable. Fears possesses the raw talent to be both a scoring and playmaking point guard for the Pels.
The Freshman All-SEC selection skipped his senior year of high school, reclassifying to attend college at OU a year early.
As for his counterpart, Queen, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year produced a double-double, scoring 13 points and securing 10 rebounds on an efficient 5-for-9 shooting, including 1-for-1 from downtown.
The former consensus five-star recruit from Baltimore scored both inside and out with an array of impressive moves. Queen has a quality handle for a center, as well as a nice shooting touch in and around the basket.
The McDonald’s All-American drilled a step-back three off the dribble with under a minute to play in the fourth quarter, displaying his versatility as a score-first big.
Fellow frontcourt piece Yves Missi continues to develop nicely for the Pelicans.
The second-year center out of Baylor also notched a double-double, nabbing 13 points and 13 rebounds.
A member of the All-Rookie Second Team last season, the native Cameroonian looks to create a formidable duo with Queen, representing the Pels’ future at center.
Perhaps being overshadowed by New Orleans aforementioned trio of first-rounders from the past two drafts, shooting guard Lester Quinones showed out with a team-high 20 points in only 21 minutes off the bench for the Pelicans.
He went 7-for-12 from the floor and 5-for-8 from beyond the arc, accounting for five of the Pels’ nine made three pointers himself.
The former Memphis Tiger has been a part of three different organizations in three years since going undrafted in 2022, but has certainly helped his case at earning roster consideration.
Quinones is currently signed to a two-way contract with, Pelicans’ G-League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron. He was notably named the NBA G League’s Most Improved Player in 2023 while playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors.
Antonio Reeves and Micah Peavy rounded out New Orleans’ starting five, joining Fears, Queen and Missi in double figures.
Reeves was just recently waived by the Pelicans but is still on their Summer League roster, auditioning for perhaps being re-signed or for any other league onlookers. The former Kentucky guard put up 10 points, going 5-for-9 from the floor.
Peavy, the Pels’ 2025 second-round pick, turned in a similar 5-for-9 shooting performance, adding 11 points and seven rebounds, knocking down one of his two three-point attempts.
The Georgetown draftee spent multiple seasons at both Texas Tech and TCU collegiately and turns 24 on Wednesday, providing the Pelicans with an experienced wing piece, standing at 6’7.
Peavy is known for his high motor and intensity on defense, valued traits in any player.
The Pels (0-1) will take on the Lakers (0-1) tonight, July 12, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2 for the second matchup of their summer slate.
Overall, NBA Summer League action is for both the front office and coaching staffs to get live in-game looks at their prospects heading into the season.
Newly hired Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, Joe Dumars, appears to have made multiple quality personnel selections since being appointed.
The Louisianan is certainly off to a good start in the Big Easy.
Time, and perhaps the ever-questioned availability of Zion Williamson, will ultimately determine just how well the former two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP has constructed this Pelicans roster.