Two of the league’s most promising rookies had the best games of their respective NBA careers on Monday in New Orleans. The Spurs and Dylan Harper, who scored 22 points and handed out six assists in 26 minutes off the bench, ultimately came out on top, with a three-point win over the Pelicans and Derik Queen.
Still, it was a memorable night for Queen, who became the first rookie center to ever record a 30-point triple-double, per ESPN’s Michael C. Wright, with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. The big man also blocked four shots and was a +14 in 33 minutes.
“Special night for him,” Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego said of his standout rookie. “He was great. He did a really good job defensively on the boards, controlled the offense. We ran a lot of our stuff through him. He was fantastic.”
Although Monday’s loss dropped the Pelicans to a league-worst 3-22 on the season, Queen’s ongoing emergence is one reason for optimism, according to Rod Walker of NOLA.com (subscription required). Walker adds that the rookie’s strong play may help turn down the heat on head of basketball operations Joe Dumars, who faced loud criticism for his decision to trade an unprotected 2026 pick to move up 10 spots for Queen in June.
Those critics are unlikely to go away if the pick Dumars sent to Atlanta in that deal lands in the top three next June, especially since there will always be questions about whether the Pelicans could’ve moved up from No. 23 to No. 13 in this year’s draft without giving up quite such a valuable asset. However, if Queen – who will turn 21 later this month – continues to turn in performance like Monday’s, the deal could turn into a win-win for the Pelicans and Hawks.
Here’s more from out of New Orleans:
- William Guillory of The Athletic considers what sort of in-season trades to expect from the Pelicans, writing that he views Herbert Jones as more likely to be moved than Trey Murphy III, though there’s no guarantee New Orleans will seriously consider dealing either player. Guillory notes that a move involving Zion Williamson would be easier to complete in the offseason than before the trade deadline, and adds that high-priced guards Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray and role players Saddiq Bey and Kevon Looney could also emerge as trade candidates.
- Although there’s still skepticism around the league that the Pelicans will trade either Jones or Murphy this season, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) says he spoke to five separate rival teams last week that said New Orleans isn’t shutting down inquiries on those players like the front office has in the past.
- Poole, who has been sidelined since November 4 due to a quad strain, participated in some parts of Tuesday’s practice, according to Borrego, who said the plan is for Poole to go through a full practice on Wednesday (Twitter link via Guillory).
- In a subscriber-only column for NOLA.com, Walker takes a look at the latest disappointing turn of events in the Williamson saga. This was supposed to be a “get-right” season for the former No. 1 overall pick, Walker writes, but hamstring and adductor strains have limited the two-time All-Star to just 10 appearances, and the Pelicans haven’t played well with or without him.
Derik Queen- 33 points, 10 boards, 10 Assists and 4 blocks in 33 minutes. To all the Einstein impersonators who say Essengue was a better draft pick, Please shut up.
Can’t blame fans for being mad about sending an unprotected pick. He should of had it top 6 protected. Hawks still would have made the trade.
I always watch as much video as I can. On draft picks I like. Knicks picks and the top talent coming out. Sort of my hobby.
I had read plenty about Derick Queen. How he was baby Jokic. What I saw at first, months before the draft. Was an overweight guy who played smart and had soft hands. Reminded me of Robert Willians lll (pudgy wudgy). Then before the draft. He had started losing weight. And looked more like an athlete. I saw a mobile PF in NBA. A guy who can post and rebound. Can shoot from outside. Has good vision for a big. He had lost like 30 lbs. And was on a conditioning kick for NBA. I saw Malone for today’s game. I said to myself. This guy can change how people feel about PFs. I saw big time potential. Especially cause he was getting leaner…. I saw a special talent. Who is still getting in better shape ……….
I said it on draft night. I thought for sure he is going top 10. Possibly Hornets at 4. Nets had the 8th pick. When they passed. I said no way Raptors pass on him, unless they take Maluach. They passed on both. I new Rockets wouldn’t take him. They have two young bigs. Then the KD trade and Suns took Maluach. Blazers traded their pick and Grizz didn’t need a young big. They took Coward, a more ready now player 23 yrs old.
Then the Bulls were up. I said maaan they lucked out take Queen. Then they pass and take a PF who won’t play for 5 yrs. When Donovan reups his contract lols. So For sure Hawks are taking him, Capela just walked. Then Joe swoops in and shows some sanity, he must follow me. Man …..Pelicans arguably had the best draft.
Fears, Queen, Peavy …
No. The Bulls took a guy who wouldn’t play for 5 years AND, Freaking AND we now find out WAS ALREADY INJURED MAKING IT EVEN STUPIDER! Which by the way is the planet all the Bulls brain trust are natives of.
I been talking about Queen highly since draft lol. Very few people believed me here. Thing about Queen. He is still working on his body. He is goong to be leaner. God If Zion would learn from him.
I said before the draft that Queen should have been picked by the Bulls if he was there. Couldn’t believe he was. Really couldn’t believe he wasn’t picked. Watching all the Bulls puny little men guarding guys who outweigh them by 30 lbs and getting injured is seriously pitiful. Bulls keep wondering why their players get injured. Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I don noe? It lasted 5 games then they started dropping like flies. Now they’re back to normal. Lame.
I don’t care how good Queen is. It was absolutely stupid to not put a top 5 protection on that pick. Dumars should’ve been fired way before Green was.
Yes he should of had it protected. The reason team sucks. Is not cause of him. Sowhy should he be fired. He just gave them the best draft Pelicans have ever had. Fears, Queen, Peavy …….
He can get plenty picks thru trades. Starting with Zion.
Pelicans have no reason not to make a trade and start trying to win. You don’t own your pick next year so there’s no point in sucking.
Might not be a popular opinion but bring back Anthony Davis. He’s arguably the best player in franchise history, he’s on the trade block and his value is at an all time low. He’s not the same beast and yes it comes with concerns but why not. He’d be an awesome mentor to young Derrick Queen and the two of them would make a really good tandem.
Think of you add a guy like that and then Dejounte coming back you could have a decent little team there.
Idk how you make a deal but say perfect would what about this:
Pelicans: Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson and 1st round pick (Nets)
Mavericks: Jordan Poole, Terrance Mann, Danny Wolfe and 2 seconds (from Brooklyn)
Nets: Zion Williamson
Pels line up
Murray Trey Herb AD Queen
Fears Klay Bey Missi
That’s a solid team, love the Queen and AD combo with Missi in behind. Also on the wings Trey Herb Klay and Bey. You just need Dejounte to return but in the meantime have Fears and Jose.
That pick goes from top 3 to late lottery.
Mavs get out of AD and Klay contracts, Poole gives the backcourt some much needed spark, Mann is a good role player and Wolfe is a good young prospect which then makes Gafford expendable.
Brooklyn just jump at Zion cause why not. They have cap space and are rebuilding. Zion has always wanted to be in NY and he and MPJ would make a good duo and throw in Claxton at centre with his defence.