The New Orleans Pelicans enter the 2026-27 season with one major question mark in their starting five: the center spot. Some fans have pitched the idea that, with expanded minutes, either Karlo Matkovic or Yves Missi could break out as an emerging young starter, and for the most part I can get behind that movement. However, what I absolutely cannot wrap my head around is the idea that New Orleans may roll with a Derik Queen-Zion Williamson frontcourt.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m 1000 percent in favor of prioritizing Derik Queen’s development and trying to get him as many reps as possible so he can eventually reach his potential as a post playmaking frontcourt player. That said, playing him and Zion together would bring virtually no positives for either his development or the team's overall results.
Both players share too many negative similarities to work as a starting frontcourt tandem in the modern NBA. They’re both undersized, subpar rebounders, aren’t particularly good or engaged defensively, and they both score primarily at the basket. This is why, if the Pelicans want to see as much success with Queen’s development as they are about to with his fellow sophomore Jeremiah Fears, they must bring him off the bench.
Being a spark off the bench is the best role for Queen in year two
Before we move on to the other benefits of having DQ run with the second unit as opposed to starting, here are some advanced stats that represent just how bad Queen and Zion were together last season. According to Databallr, when DQ and Z were on the court together, the team had a -12.9 net rating, with the team's defensive rating being almost 124 and their offensive rating being sub-111.
That is horrifying.
Obviously, I understand that over time these two could develop and learn to share the court, but for now, that shouldn’t even be an option.
Outside of simply saving everyone from the eyesore that is Zion-Queen minutes, having DQ come off the bench would also really help Queen develop his skills as a post playmaker. Outside of Fears, the Pelicans' second unit doesn’t project to have any ball-dominant creator, clearing the runway for Queen to bring the ball up and set up the Saddiq Bey’s and Bryce McGowens of the world.
Having him come off the bench also puts Queen in lower-pressure situations, instead of being forced to start the game and set the tone. It would limit his defensive responsibilities, allow him to come in when the offense stalls and provide a spark. Having him come off the bench would also almost always ensure he was playing alongside another big man, either Matkovic or Missi. This would be massive for his development and confidence, as right now he is way better suited to be playing the four because of his rebounding and defensive shortcomings.
Derik Queen fully has the potential to one day become a starter in the NBA, which is why the front office mortgaged such a large part of their future to acquire him. But for now, both his development and the team would benefit from him being a spark off the bench in his sophomore season.
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