The New Orleans Pelicans are 3-22 this season. No, it’s not a typo. Things have gone from bad to worse, and they don’t even have their own first-round pick next year.
For the umpteenth time, Zion Williamson hasn’t been able to play consistently due to various ailments and injuries. Plus, Willie Green was fired pretty early in the season.
One thing the Pels do have going for them, is Derik Queen. The rookie big man out of Maryland has been shining, and continuing to put up big numbers. Few centers have been able to put up the numbers he has in their rookie year.
As a matter of fact, Queen just made NBA history last night. He’s now the only first-year center to ever have a 30-point triple-double.
The center of future has been balling during his first year in The Big Easy.
Derik Queen Making History In New Orleans
The Pelicans front office has made some questionable decisions in years past, and that’s been on full display. They moved next year’s first-round pick in the trade that netted them Derik Queen, actually. But with the big man playing at a level like this, arguments can be made from both sides as to the deal’s success.
The San Antonio Spurs did beat the Pels last night, in a 135-132 thriller. Dylan Harper‘s return has seem him playing at a high level, the #2 pick looking sharp. But even in the defeat, this game was all about Queen.
He finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks. The rookie hit 11 of 15 shots. A stat-line that will make any jaw drop. No rookie center has ever done this.
On top of that. he is now one of just five players to record a triple-double before turning 21. He is the first since Victor Wembanyama, and the first Pelicans player to post one at this age.
Queen showed a lot of flashes at Maryland. He played well in March Madness, hitting a game-winning shot in the Round of 32.
Derik Queen Big Part of Pelicans Future
Derik Queen is not the only lottery pick on the Pelicans this season. He’s teamed with former Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears to create some big plays. Amidst the losing, Fears has been the starting point guard while Dejounte Murray has been recovering from injury.
Jordan Poole has also missed most of the campaign, allowing for the rookie to hold things things down as the primary floor general. Fears ranked third in the latest NBA Rookie Ladder ranking.
Getting back to Queen, it’s clear that the team has a serious gem here. His latest performance marked the second time putting up 10+ assists, and third time with 10+ rebounds. Some things are a work in progress, but the big man has the intangibles needed to be successful.
Derik Queen is the type of playmaking big man a lot of teams wished they could have. Truthfully, this team probably won’t improve much by the end of the season. Not having the pick for next year though, is incentive not to tank.
Trey Murphy and Herbert Jones could be on the move. Jose Alvarado could also be dealt. A few other Pels could be sent to other teams.
Whatever the final product looks like this season, it will feature Queen and Fears prominently. As long as those two continue to play at a high level, some positives could be taken from this season.
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