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The Pelicans exercised their third-year team option on Queen's contract Tuesday, Terry Kimble of SI.com reports.
The No. 13 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is now officially under contract for the 2027-28 season. The big man averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.9 combined steals-plus-blocks across 25.0 minutes per tilt in 81 regular-season appearances (48 starts) in his rookie season. Queen is expected to compete for minutes with Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic in 2026-27.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Grabs 11 rebounds in preseason win
Rotowire
Queen totaled six points (1-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals across 19 minutes in Wednesday's 101-97 preseason win over Dallas.
Queen struggled mightily from the field but was a force on the glass, hauling in a game-high 11 rebounds. The 21-year-old has grabbed at least eight rebounds in all three of his preseason appearances. With Zion Williamson and Yves Missi expected to occupy the starting frontcourt spots, health permitting, Queen will likely be relegated to the second unit. However, the Maryland product should still have a sizable role this year after averaging 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals across 81 regular-season games (48 starts) as a rookie in 2025-26.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Nears double-double against OKC
Rotowire
Queen scored 10 points (3-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-7 FT) while adding nine rebounds, three steals and an assist in 17 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's preseason win over the Thunder.
The 21-year-old center showed flashes of his upside as a rookie in 2025-26 after being the 13th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but Queen remains stuck on the second unit as long as Zion Williamson and Yves Missi remain healthy. More consistent minutes could still allow Queen to improve on the 11.7 points, 7.1 boards, 3.7 assists and 1.9 combined steals and blocks he averaged last season.
Queen impressed during his rookie campaign despite missing time early in the season due to a wrist injury, flashing the versatile offensive skills that made him a lottery pick.
Queen posted several standout performances, including the first 30-point triple-double by a rookie center in NBA history. Queen should compete for an even larger frontcourt role in 2026-27 as one of New Orleans' top young building blocks.
Queen went for 30 points (11-28 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 7-8 FT), 22 rebounds, four assists, one steal and a block in 41 minutes during Sunday's 132-126 loss to the Timberwolves.
Queen was dominant on the glass Sunday, collecting a career-high 22 rebounds. The impressive rookie was also able to amass 30 points by being especially aggressive in hunting his shot. This was evident in the fact that he took 28 shots from the floor, blowing past his previous high of 18 attempts. Queen averaged 24.0 points, 18.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.7 steals in 39.0 minutes per contest over his last three appearances to close the season.
