The Rise of Derek Queen: How a Rookie is Quietly Reshaping the Pelicans’ Future
The Smoothie King Center is alive with energy. The crowd is on its feet, chanting a name that’s not Zion Williamson’s. Instead, it’s Derek Queen, a 20-year-old rookie, closing out a tight game with the poise of a seasoned veteran. Zion, once the face of the franchise, watches from the bench, a towel draped over his head, looking distant. For the first time since his arrival in New Orleans, the Pelicans have a new answer to the question: Who’s our franchise guy?
It’s a moment that encapsulates the quiet but undeniable shift happening in New Orleans. Derek Queen, a 6’10” playmaking big man, has emerged as the team’s most impactful player, and the implications are seismic. The Pelicans’ front office, fanbase, and even Zion himself are coming to terms with a reality that seemed unthinkable just a year ago: New Orleans might be ready to move on from Zion Williamson.
The Bold Gamble to Land Derek Queen
To understand how we got here, we need to revisit the Pelicans’ bold decision to acquire Derek Queen in the 2025 NBA Draft. Sitting at the 23rd pick, the Pelicans weren’t content to take the best available player. Instead, they packaged their pick along with an unprotected 2026 first-rounder to move up to 13th and select Queen, a highly-skilled big man out of Maryland.
This was no ordinary draft-night trade. Giving up an unprotected first-round pick is a gamble reserved for players you believe can change your franchise’s trajectory. The Pelicans weren’t just looking for a role player; they were betting on Queen to become a cornerstone. From the moment he stepped on the court, it was clear they’d made the right call.
Derek Queen’s Immediate Impact
Unlike most rookies, Queen didn’t need time to adjust to the NBA. He played with a level of control and maturity that belied his age. There were no flashy dunks or highlight-reel plays, just an uncanny ability to dictate the tempo of the game. Queen’s passing was the first thing that caught everyone’s attention. Operating from the high post or the top of the key, he dissected defenses with precision. Whether it was a one-handed laser to a corner shooter or a perfectly timed bounce pass to a cutter, Queen had the court vision of a seasoned point guard.
The comparisons to Nikola Jokić started early. Pelicans beat writers marveled at Queen’s ability to make the game easier for his teammates, dubbing him “Jokić-lite.” But Queen wasn’t just a passer. He showed flashes of scoring brilliance, too. In one three-game stretch, he scored 20-plus points in each outing, becoming the first Pelicans rookie to do so since Zion Williamson.
What made Queen’s scoring even more impressive was the variety in his game. He wasn’t relying on sheer athleticism or overpowering drives to the basket. Instead, he showcased a mix of face-up moves, crafty footwork, and soft touch around the rim. His ability to finish through contact and hit tough shots in the paint had fans and analysts alike buzzing.
Winning Over the Locker Room
Queen’s impact wasn’t just felt on the court. He quickly earned the respect of his teammates and coaches. After an early-season breakout game, veteran DeAndre Jordan jokingly made Queen stand up during a post-game interview, saying, “You had 12, 8, and 7. You can’t sit down after that.” It was a lighthearted moment, but it underscored the locker room’s growing admiration for the rookie.
The coaching staff also took notice. In the Pelicans’ first win of the season, Queen played the entire fourth quarter, logging 12 straight minutes in a tight game. His stat line—12 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals in just 18 minutes—was a microcosm of his all-around impact. Head coach Willie Green praised Queen’s poise and decision-making, noting how the team seemed to play cleaner, more organized basketball when he was on the floor.
The Zion Conundrum
While Queen has been a revelation, his rise has cast a shadow over Zion Williamson’s future in New Orleans. Zion, once heralded as the next LeBron James, has struggled to stay on the court since being drafted first overall in 2019. Plagued by injuries and questions about his conditioning, Zion has played in just 114 games over the past four seasons.
When healthy, Zion is a force of nature. Last season, he averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists on absurd efficiency in the 29 games he played. Few players in the league can match his ability to pressure the rim, draw fouls, and warp defenses. But availability is the best ability in the NBA, and Zion simply hasn’t been available enough.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans have quietly built a roster that no longer revolves around him. Trey Murphy has emerged as a legitimate scoring threat. Herb Jones is one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders. And now, Derek Queen has arrived, a player who makes everyone around him better and is locked into a cheap rookie contract for the next several years.
The Fit Question
The rise of Derek Queen has also raised questions about Zion’s fit within the team. Offensively, Queen is at his best when he has the ball in his hands, operating from the high post or the top of the key. He thrives in a system built around ball movement, spacing, and cutting. Zion, on the other hand, is a ball-dominant player who does his best work in the paint. He’s not a floor spacer, and his presence often clogs the lane, limiting the effectiveness of players like Queen.
Defensively, the issues are just as glaring. Queen is most effective as a power forward playing alongside a rim-protecting center. Zion, however, is not a traditional rim protector. Pairing the two creates a frontcourt that is neither big enough to dominate defensively nor spaced enough to punish teams offensively.
These fit issues have already started to manifest in late-game situations. Coaches are opting to close games with Queen at the five and Zion on the bench. Each time this happens, the cameras pan to Zion, capturing his expressions as the crowd chants Queen’s name. It’s a recipe for tension, both on and off the court.
The Trade Whisper
Inevitably, Derek Queen’s emergence has reignited trade rumors surrounding Zion. Beat writers in New Orleans have started to speculate about the Pelicans’ willingness to entertain offers for their former franchise player. The narrative has shifted from “When will Zion get healthy?” to “Do the Pelicans need Zion anymore?”
The case for trading Zion is compelling. His max contract is a significant financial burden, especially for a player with his injury history. Moving him would allow the Pelicans to fully commit to building around Queen and their young core. It would also provide the team with the flexibility to add complementary pieces that fit better around Queen’s skill set.
Of course, trading Zion is not without risk. When healthy, he’s a top-15 player with the potential to be one of the best in the league. The fear of watching him thrive elsewhere is enough to give any front office pause. But as the gap between Zion’s availability and Queen’s impact grows, the calculus begins to change.
The Future of the Pelicans
The Pelicans find themselves at a crossroads. On one side is Zion Williamson, a generational talent with an uncertain future. On the other is Derek Queen, a 20-year-old rookie who has already proven he can lead a team and elevate those around him.
For now, the Pelicans are content to let the situation play out. But the NBA is a cold business, and decisions are rarely made in a vacuum. If Queen continues to thrive and Zion’s availability remains inconsistent, the front office will face a choice: stick with the player they once envisioned as the face of the franchise or embrace the new era led by Derek Queen.
The answer won’t come overnight. It will be shaped by a thousand small decisions—minutes allocations, lineup changes, trade rumors—that gradually tilt the balance of power. And when the time comes to make that final call, the Pelicans’ path forward may already be clear.
For now, one thing is certain: Derek Queen has arrived, and he’s not just changing games. He’s changing the future of the New Orleans Pelicans. The question is, will Zion Williamson be part of that future? Let us know your thoughts—Zion’s ceiling or Queen’s stability?