During the entire course of the 2025-26 offseason, the biggest talking point surrounding the New Orleans Pelicans was how brutal a pick and prospect Derik Queen was. After not looking in game shape during the Summer League and leading the team in turnovers per game with 5.7, expectations were very low surrounding DQ. However, all of the negative talk surrounding the Maryland product can go out the window as he’s been one of the Pelicans' brightest spots to start the 2025-26 season.
Queen has shone on both sides of the basketball, but the one area he’s struggled with is his discipline defensively. Through his first three games, DQ’s totaled 13 personal fouls, with four coming Monday night against Boston. Even though he’s a rookie, Queen has been way too valuable to this team on both ends, and they can’t afford to have him in foul trouble each night.
If DQ can remain more disciplined, his minutes are going to skyrocket, and he could even become the team's starting center at some point this season. With more minutes and more opportunities, he could also enter the Rookie of the Year conversation.
If he improves his discipline, the sky's the limit
Queen has shut down any talks of him being a poor defender in these first three games. Not only has he been putting in a ton of effort to contest shots and make things difficult at the rim, but he’s also been extremely engaged every time he’s on the floor. Entering tonight's contest with Denver, he’s averaging an even one block per game and is also fifth on the team in individual defensive rating.
On the offensive end, DQ has been everything fans hoped for. He’s been scoring in a multitude of ways, through the pick and roll, dump-offs, fadeaways, and hook shots.
But the most exciting thing he’s shown offensively is his ability to create offense for himself. We’ve already seen him several times this season get downhill, score in transition, put the ball on the floor, and blow by slower defenders. These are all things the Pelicans were never able to rely on their big man to do in years past, giving them a unique new weapon to incorporate into their offense for years to come.
Queen has all the talent in the world, but the next step to becoming a great player is becoming more patient on the defensive end. If he can stay out of foul trouble, his touches and minutes are only going to grow.