The New Orleans Pelicans are in the middle of a season that’s been anything but smooth, but amid the ups and downs, rookie Derik Queen is quietly carving out a name for himself. Acquired from the Atlanta Hawks after being selected 13th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Queen has already shown flashes of something special - even if the team around him hasn’t quite found its rhythm yet.
Queen’s transition to the league has been marked by standout performances, but also by the growing pains that come with joining a team still trying to establish consistency. Frustration has bubbled up at times - including a moment where Queen reportedly voiced his displeasure toward Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, a sign of the competitive fire burning inside the young forward.
But Friday night against the Indiana Pacers, Queen made headlines for something a little more... unusual. During the pregame jump ball, cameras caught him jumping four times before the ball was tossed - and then staying grounded when the ball was actually in play.
It was a moment that had fans and commentators alike scratching their heads and laughing in equal measure. A rookie moment, sure, but one that also speaks to the energy and unpredictability Queen brings to the floor.
When the game got underway, Queen let his game do the talking. In 28 minutes of action, he posted a double-double with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists.
It was another solid outing in a season that’s been full of them for the young big man. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, it wasn’t enough to get them over the hump.
Despite all five starters scoring in double figures, New Orleans fell to Indiana, 127-119.
Still, Queen’s development remains one of the brightest spots in the Pelicans’ season. Interim head coach James Borrego hasn’t been shy about his admiration for the rookie’s game, even drawing a bold comparison to none other than Nikola Jokic. That’s high praise - and not something thrown around lightly.
“The passing opens up your offense so much,” Borrego said. “They’ve got to account for other guys on the floor, and it creates a spirit of unselfishness and creativity on the weak side.
When you have someone who can pass like [Queen], there’s a creativity in what guys can do off the ball. The offense is less predictable, and teams that play off-ball with more of a Jokic-type player, you’re very unpredictable with how you play.”
While Queen isn’t Jokic - at least not yet - the comparison speaks volumes about the kind of player he could become. At 12.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, he’s already putting up numbers that put him firmly in the Rookie of the Year conversation.
But it’s not just the stats - it’s the way he plays. The vision.
The feel. The willingness to make the extra pass and see plays before they develop.
There’s still a long road ahead, and Queen’s game is far from fully formed. But what he’s shown so far suggests the Pelicans may have landed a foundational piece - someone who can not only produce, but elevate the players around him. And in a season that’s been full of questions, that’s one answer New Orleans can feel good about.