Derik Queen's rookie season has been a rather successful one. The young big man is fourth in the NBA's latest rookie ladder and has shown incredible flashes as a passer and scorer, and is starting to show floor-spacing ability. However, one thing is abundantly clear. Derik Queen cannot be a starting center at this point in his career, as he just isn't strong enough and doesn't possess the elite rebounding and defensive instincts needed.
Unfortunately for the New Orleans Pelicans, they missed a golden opportunity to acquire the perfect long-term center to pair with Queen at this year's trade deadline in Jarrett Allen.
Saturday's win over Philadelphia, in which DeAndre Jordan started at center, one thing was obvious: Queen plays his best basketball when next to a big man who rebounds and blocks shots at an elite level. When DQ shares the frontcourt with a player like this, he can focus on being great offensively. It also gives the Pelicans a massive advantage on the glass, something they've struggled with, as they give up the fifth-most rebounds per game.
Allen could have come to New Orleans and been the perfect long-term partner for Queen in the team's front court. But with his play as of late, the Cleveland Cavaliers stance on Allen likely has shifted.
The Pelicans will be forced to pivot
A few days before the NBA trade deadline, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Cavs were taking calls on Allen. But after seeing the connection he's been able to build in just six games with James Harden, the chances of Cleveland trading their starting center look less likely than ever.
In four of Allen's last six games, he has recorded 21 or more points and has had three 13-plus rebound performances. During the Harden era in Cleveland, Allen is averaging 20.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.1 stocks (steals + blocks), and shooting 75.4 percent from the field, and the team is 5-1. The pick-and-roll tandem these two have created, paired with Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, gives the Cavs a core four that may be virtually impossible to stop in the East.
For that reason, it's highly unlikely that the Cavaliers will take the same approach to Allen this offseason as they did for a short period during the trade deadline. And even if they do, the asking price will definitely be higher than it was a few weeks back. This means that if the Pelicans plan to address their need for a true center alongside Derik Queen, they'll have to pivot in another direction.