Derik Queen isn’t just earning minutes in New Orleans - he’s earning trust. And in the NBA, especially for rookies, that’s the real currency.
The 21-year-old big man has quietly emerged as a foundational piece for James Borrego’s Pelicans, a team that’s still deep in the rebuild but may have struck gold with the former Maryland standout. Queen’s stat line is solid - 12.2 points, 7.4 boards, and 4.3 assists per game on 48.4% shooting - but the numbers only tell part of the story. What’s really turning heads is how he’s getting those numbers, and the maturity with which he’s playing the game.
Let’s start with the passing. Queen leads all rookies in assists - not something you typically expect from a frontcourt player, let alone a first-year one.
But his feel for the game is years ahead of schedule. Whether he’s operating from the low block, the elbow, or even beyond the arc, Queen has shown a knack for reading defenses and making the right play.
He’s not just racking up assists - he’s creating advantages, bending defenses in ways that open up clean looks for teammates.
Borrego has leaned into that, using Queen as a hub in multiple spots on the floor. “It’s the high IQ,” Borrego said.
“We can move him to the post, to the elbow, to the top of the floor. He’s been able to screen for a number of our guys and make plays.
So we trust him. More than anything, we trust him with the ball and to make the right play.”
That trust doesn’t come easy in this league, especially for a rookie on a team still trying to find its identity. But Queen is earning it possession by possession, not by forcing his own offense, but by making the game easier for everyone around him.
And it’s not just the passing - Queen’s rebounding has been a steady presence for a team that desperately needs it. He’s already posted multiple games with 12+ boards, giving the Pelicans a reliable source of second-chance opportunities and a much-needed defensive anchor.
Borrego called it out directly: “The board has been important for us. That’s something he gives us night in and night out.”
Where Queen is still learning - and understandably so - is on the defensive end. Bigs in today’s NBA are asked to do it all: protect the rim, switch on the perimeter, communicate coverages, and stay a step ahead of lightning-quick offenses.
It’s a lot to process for any rookie, but Queen’s development curve is headed in the right direction. He’s getting guidance from veteran bigs like Yves Missi, DeAndre Jordan, and Kevon Looney - all players who’ve seen every coverage and matchup the league has to offer.
Borrego noted the progress: “The growth continues to be at the defensive end. He knows and understands that. I’ve seen growth there as well… learning how to communicate, how to talk through coverages, what coverages we’re in.”
And that’s the thing - it’s not just about raw talent. Queen is soaking in the game, learning how to slow it down, how to process it in real time.
That’s what separates the good from the great. “There are so many decisions that NBA players have to make on the floor, especially when you’re a young guy,” Borrego said.
“The game is continuing to slow down in spurts for him, and I think that’s been a real plus.”
The numbers back it up. Queen leads all rookies in total rebounds (353) and total assists (205).
He’s second in blocks (43), and ranks top five in minutes, points, steals, and field goal percentage. That’s not just a solid rookie campaign - that’s a blueprint for building something sustainable.
For a team that’s spent the season near the bottom of the standings, Queen’s rise is a bright spot - and a reminder that rebuilds aren’t just about lottery picks and cap space. They’re about finding players who make others better, who grow into roles bigger than their draft slot, and who give a franchise something real to build around.
No matter how the rest of the season shakes out, the Pelicans have found a piece worth investing in. Derik Queen is proving that trust isn’t just earned - it’s game-planned around.