The New Orleans Pelicans invested heavily in Derik Queen, sending their 2026 first-round pick and the draft rights to Asa Newell to the Atlanta Hawks on draft night for the forward.
Based on New Orleans’ slow start, it’s understandable if they wish they could get the trade back. Queen averages 8.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in roughly 20 minutes for the Pelicans. He’s shown flashes of solid play, but he is far from the franchise cornerstone the Pelicans were hoping he would be.
Between Queen and Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans actually has a solid rookie class. However, injuries to veterans Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, and Jordan Poole have slowed them down. In an effort to retool and rebuild, they have been urged to shop some of their best players on the trade market.
Despite a slow start, Queen has been touted by at least one NBA legend.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 25: Derik Queen (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted thirteenth overall by the Atlanta Hawks during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans’ Rookie Gets High Praise
In the Pelicans’ most recent game, a 126-119 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Queen had one of the best games of his young career.
He posted 13 points, five rebounds, and a career-high eight assists. Despite being 6-9 and 250 pounds, he looked comfortable handling the ball on the perimeter. He created well for both himself and his teammates.
“He can flat out play the game,” said radio broadcaster Antonio Daniels during the game. “I don’t care how you look at it. His ability to do so many things well.
He can shoot it, he can pass it, he understands angles.”
Daniels isn’t the only one who sees potential in Queen, as one of his former teammates chimed in.
“I’m sitting here with my phone in my hand and Tim Duncan just sent me a text about Derik Queen,” Daniels revealed. “He said, ‘Man, I really like that Queen guy.’ Yes, me too, bro. I agree. That is the best power forward in the history of the sport. He just sent me a text about Derik Queen. That young man is talented. He is just scratching the surface.”
Daniels and Duncan played together for four seasons, winning the 1999 NBA Finals together.
Tim Duncan Rarely Offers NBA Insight
Some former players, like Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, and anyone with a podcast, are eager to offer their thoughts on current stars.
Duncan, on the other hand, keeps to himself, limiting public appearances. However, he is still very active behind closed doors with the Spurs and is tapped into the happenings in the league today.
For Queen to get public admiration from Duncan is a massive accomplishment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Duncan has always been an infamously private figure.
“Where the hell is Tim Duncan?” asked Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2022. “I don’t know where Tim Duncan is.”
Antetokounmpo is perhaps the best power forward since Duncan. If any player is earning praise from the Spurs’ legend, one would think it would be him. Instead, The Big Fundamental is hyping up the 13th overall pick on a bad Pelicans’ team.
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