Rookie watch: Derik Queen
New Orleans took a sizeable swing in the 2025 NBA Draft, sacrificing next year’s unprotected first-round pick to move up and select Maryland big man Derik Queen with the 13th overall choice.
While the Pelicans sit bottom of the Western Conference at 2–15, one genuine positive has been the emergence of their rookie centre.
Recently promoted to the starting five by interim head coach James Borrego, Queen has repaid that faith in style. Over his last three outings, he has averaged 23.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks in 31.3 minutes, including a career-best 30-point effort in a narrow defeat to the Denver Nuggets — a performance that caught the eye of Nikola Jokić himself.
The Pelicans are already trusting the 20-year-old to initiate the offence, such is his combination of passing feel, ball-handling and scoring versatility — a rare blend for a player of his size (2.05m/6ft 9in, 113kg/250lbs) and age.
It has yet to translate into wins, but Queen’s rapid development offers real hope that New Orleans have unearthed a long-term cornerstone.