New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derik Queen is having a monstrous rookie season. Currently averaging 12.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, Queen is having an impact almost everywhere on the court and is giving Pelicans fans some much-needed hope. With the Pelicans dealing with numerous injuries, Queen has flourished with the big minutes he has been given. These glimpses of hope have not only led fans to believe he is on a clear path to an All-Rookie team but also to possibly be the future face of the franchise.

Many fans are most enthusiastic about Queen’s post-game and how effectively he is able to implement it in the modern NBA.

Since his high school days at Montverde Academy, Queen has been known and praised for his “back to the basket” post-up style. Playing alongside basketball stars like Cooper Flagg, Liam McNeeley, and Asa Newell, Queen has consistently gotten open looks and showcased his skills to the media. His shot selection and IQ down low are like those of Hakeem Olajuwon and Zach Randolph, so once he declared for the 2025 NBA draft, many wondered how effective it would really be in the new NBA, where three-point shooting is key, and the old-school post-up offense is almost obsolete.

Despite being ranked in the top 10 of numerous mock drafts, Queen would eventually fall to pick 13 in the first round, where the Pelicans would trade back into the draft to select him.

Fortunately, Queen has been able to make many NBA front offices look like fools while maintaining his style of play, remaining efficient and productive in the modern NBA.

As of December 2025, Queen is shooting 49% from the field and 52% from two-point range. While this might sound underwhelming, it is still far higher than coveted rookies like Cooper Flagg, VJ Edgecombe, and Egor Demin at an abysmal 38%! With a crafty mix of hook shots, post shimmies, and fade-aways, many defenses struggle to guard Queen in the paint, especially considering his 6’9 250-pound frame.

This was evident on November 19th, when Queen dropped 30 against the Denver Nuggets on an impressive 66% from the field. Even against elite 2-way defenders like Zeke Naji and Peyton Watson, Queen was able to muscle up and put his scoring ability on display while being guarded by Nikola Jokic. His fearlessness and hustle make him an absolute monster around the rim, combining his size, strength, and skill to bring his vintage game into the modern league.

Even Jokic himself had high-praises for the rookie after his career high performance ““He’s good. He has some moves, he’s definitely pretty crafty,” Jokić said. “He’s unorthodox, great touch around the rim, great feel for the game. It’s good to see somebody different.” Per Bleacher Report.

All-time great Tim Duncan had high praise for Queen during a Spurs-Pelicans game, texting Antonio Daniels, “Man, I really like this Queen guy.”

Part of the reason for Duncan’s approval of Queen might have been the similarities between their post-shooting. Much like Duncan, Queen never rushes when looking to score in the post, like most centers who look to get the shot off. Instead, Queen takes his time, finds his rhythm, and uses a variety of moves and fakes to lose his defender and score, much like the big fundamental.

Queen has been an absolute beast in the month of December, averaging 17 points on 58% FG%. With these impressive numbers, Queen is currently ranked third on the NBA’s “Rookie Ladder,” a leaderboard that ranks players’ favorability of winning Rookie of the Year.

Something else worth mentioning about Queen’s game that truly shows his potential is his free-throw percentage. Currently shooting almost 80% on his free throws, placing him in the top 10 of centers with the highest free-throw percentage. Queen’s ability to get to the line and comfortably knock down free throws at an elite level shows how much potential he has as a shooter, regardless of his three-point percentage.

Many fans believe that with his elite free-throw shooting, Queen is bound to develop a better shot, “But this is where Queen’s game (and what it means to play next to a center in the NBA) is misunderstood. Sure, if Queen had shot better from the three-point line in college, his transition to the NBA would have been a lot smoother, no argument there. He shot a respectable 76.6% from the free-throw line and flashed impressive shotmaking with floaters and the occasional mid-range shot. His shot form itself could use some work, but the hints of shooting touch are there,” stated Mike O’Connor of Rights To Ricky Sanchez.

Queen is also being praised for his ball-handling abilities.

At almost 7 feet tall, Derik Queen can bring the ball up court and initiate plays like a point guard would. These dribbling skills are unseen for a center and are a skill that few in the league possess. Fans have seen Queen break down tight defensive lineups with crafty crossovers and spin moves.

Queen’s fearless ball-handling and playmaking were on full display against Daniel Gafford and the Dallas Mavericks late in the 4th quarter during a close game. Despite Gafford being one of the best interior defenders in the NBA, when the ball was passed, Queen took charge and drove to the paint, and when faced with Gafford’s post presence, Queen was able to pull off a flashy scoop-layup and ultimately get the foul.

It is very intriguing to think about how Queen can further develop his ball-handling skills, given that he has already been trusted to do some ISO scoring and to be a floor general. 

Alongside his elite scoring, many NBA fans are impressed by Queen’s playmaking ability.

Derik Queen is currently in the elite top 10 of centers, averaging the most assists per game and ranked 50th across all positions. Even more impressive is that the next highest rookie, Ryan Kalkbrenner, is ranked 262nd. Queen’s ability to read defenses and find ways to get his teammates open is no joke. With this playmaking ability and elite post-up game, Queen has already been able to cement himself as one of the best post-playmakers in the league.

With outbreaks like an eight-assist game against the Spurs or an 11-assist game against the Mavericks, it is evident that Queen can be a leader for his team and make effective passes from anywhere on the court.

Most impressive is his 14-point, 16-rebound, career-high 12-assist game against the Wizards on January 9th. This game was unlike any for a rookie center. Queen was quite literally all over the court. He was pulling up from deep in the midrange, sort of Kevin Garnett-esque, using his crafty lay-up package to find ways to the rim, and using his handles to shake defenders.

While it’s not out of the ordinary for Queen to have such a unique and dominant game for a center, it was his playmaking that made this game just a glimpse of his great potential. Queen was dishing out driving passes, performing backdoor cuts, and had plenty of lobs from the top of the key. These passes not only showed Queen’s potential but his unselfish play style, someone who wants to play winning basketball.

Video Credit: HoopsShowtime (YouTube)

Some other impressive playmaking highlights from Queen include a viral behind-the-back pass to Trey Murphy III, which led to an explosive dunk during that same 11-assist Mavericks game.

Because of his overall efficient and practical ability to do it all on the court, Queen has earned himself the nickname “Baby Jokic.” Many fans believe that Derik Queen will be the next Nikola Jokic and will elevate New Orleans basketball to an upper echelon.

Saint Paul’s Senior Brady Johnson is one of those hopeful fans. “Seeing Queen dominate against the Mavericks makes me think back to an earlier Nikola Jokic. His crafty post work, gritty rebounding ability, and flashy passes are all things not many centers can do. He’s the future of the franchise and was worth every pick we gave up to draft him. Derik Queen is the best thing to happen to New Orleans Basketball since drafting Zion Williamson,” stated Johnson.

Queen also brings another major advantage to the floor offensively: his screen-setting ability.

Screen setting is a skill that never shows up in the box score or even in most advanced statistics; however, the rookie is already far and away the Pelicans’ most effective screen setter. Although it’s still early in the season, Queen has put his size to use, becoming a lethal threat on the perimeter against opposing defenses, absorbing defenders into his frame and allowing his team to pull off plays.

This skill also ties into his playmaking. Using both of these skills, Queen can pull off such a colossal pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop that nobody can contest. Queen’s screen setting has already been a key part of New Orleans’ offense and will be for many years to come.

Rebounding is another one of Queen’s many skills that the box scores simply won’t do justice.

Already, Derik Queen has been a monster on the glass and has been a nightmare for opposing centers to box out. Queen does not just use his size to snag boards; he breaks down rebounding to math and times almost every ball perfectly, acting more like a wide receiver than a center. His 6.1 RPG might seem mundane on paper. However, against the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder (some of the best defensive and rebounding teams in the league), Queen dominated the offensive glass and made some of the best big men in the league look weak.

Even some of the largest sports news websites are high on Queen’s potential, with Bleacher Report giving him a “Realistic Pro Comparison” of All-Star Alpren Sengun. “Queen reminds me of Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun with his below-the-rim skill, footwork, and instincts. Neither possesses athletic traits to get easy baskets, but they can be used as go-to options in the half-court based on their post games, passing, and overall polish. At this point, Sengun is a one-time All-Star at 22 years old with, what seems likely, more to come. Queen will need to advance other parts of his game beyond the low-post scoring to reach that status.”

Bleacher Report, however, raises a relevant issue: Queen needs to improve his scoring. As he goes further into his career, if Queen can not take the next step to add a mid or three-point shot to his bag, it is going to be very easy for opposing teams’ defenses to read his every move. Many players, though, have been able to do this with time. Even his comps, Nikola Jokic and Alpren Sengun, have developed a better feel beyond the arc over time.

Although Queen is still very undeveloped defensively, there have still been some flashes of improvement.

First, and most obviously, Queen already has one of the strongest and biggest frames in the NBA, which helps him body defenders in the post. Regardless of his actual defensive skips, one thing is for sure: Queen is never getting babied in the paint and always stays glued to his man when in the post. Queen’s offensive agility also benefits him on the other side of the court. With his slickness and balance, Queen locks up guards on the perimeter and is a serviceable 2-way defender.

These defensive instincts were in full effect on October 24th in a game against the Spurs. Queen recorded two blocks and a steal. This included a block on Keldon Johnson and an almost “snatch block” against fellow rookie Dylan Harper. Moreover, in general, Queen just looked more comfortable defensively and held his own everywhere on the court.

As of now, Queen is able to record a steal and block a game. Which shows how much potential he has as a 2-way big man.

Derik Queen is also in one of the worst situations a rookie could be in.

After the Pelicans traded their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to move back into the draft to pick Queen 13th overall, many Pelican fans were skeptical and worried that trading the pick would mortgage their future. Unfortunately, it did. Due to bad injury luck and a poor coaching staff, the Pelicans are now 3-17 and sit at 15th in the Western Conference, without even owning their first-round pick. This has put immense pressure on Derik Queen to become one of the best rookies, considering that the first-round pick he was traded for could now be a top 3 pick in arguably the most excellent draft class of all time. With this, the Pelicans are also the only team this season to fire their head coach, so Queen has seen very streaky playing time.

Saint Paul’s senior Hayes Clayton is a die-hard Pelicans fan who is worried about Queen’s career, “After watching Derik Queen at Maryland, I knew he would be something special in the NBA, and he has been. However, with the coaching change from Willie Green to James Borrego, it seems the coaching staff has no idea what to do with Queen. Derik could be out there hustling for rebounds and setting crazy screens, and the next thing you know, he is out of the game and only gets 10 minutes. Derik is literally the future of our franchise, and if we do not keep playing him and letting him develop, all of the suffering Pel’s fans are going through will be for nothing,” stated Clayton.

Another reason why Queen has seen such a drastic difference in playing time game to game is the abundance of “star” players in New Orleans. With tons of hot streaks, cold streaks, and injuries across NOLA’s starting lineup, Queen has often been sidelined in favor of players like Zion Williamson, who the Pelicans still believe is their future.

While Williamson is a fantastic talent and the face of New Orleans basketball, the Pelicans should not have any plans to contend anymore and need to find ways to get their younger guys as many shots as possible. Although this would affect the scoring and value of their more cemented stars, it is equally important not to stunt the development of their rookies.

Derik Queen is a player known for his stellar work ethic and is a young player any team would dream of developing.

On all of his teams, even since middle school, coaches and players have seen him as a high-energy guy who is always there to encourage his teammates and puts his head down and works when it’s time to.

Queen’s high school coach at Monteverde, Kevin Boyle, was quoted praising his work ethic and team impact highly after committing to Maryland. “He’s charismatic. He’s a guy that is great on a talk show if you get him on,” Boyle said. “He’s funny. He knows how to engage with people. He’s liked by all his teammates, yet he’s the guy that knows how to bust your chops a little bit and get under your skin in a playful way. So really, I’m going to miss him when he leaves. He’s been one of my favorite guys in 35 years as a personality, not just the player, to be around,” stated Boyle.

This is precisely the energy that a New Orleans team struggling to find its identity needs—a rookie who will come in and bring the same locker room presence as a veteran. 

With all of this, it is important to consider that Derik Queen is a very raw prospect who will need time to develop. If the Pelicans’ coaching staff gives him enough opportunities and playing time, it should be easy for Queen to become the offensive engine that fans think he can be. Despite a season filled with disappointment and frustration, Derik Queen has given New Orleans Pelicans fans a new franchise player to believe in.

It is time for New Orleans to reset, rebuild, and center around Derik Queen, the franchise’s future.

Feature image credit: FOX Sports