The New Orleans Pelicans made a bold move in last year’s draft, trading up to grab Derik Queen - a decision that’s still echoing through the franchise. Why?
Because the pick they gave up could very well turn into this year’s No. 1 overall selection. That kind of move doesn’t fade into the background quietly.
But Queen? He’s doing everything in his power to make sure the trade was worth it.
And on Friday night, he added another bullet point to his growing résumé - one that puts him in rarefied air.
With a 22-point, 9-rebound, 7-assist, 2-block performance in a win over the Grizzlies, Queen became just the third player in NBA history to reach 600 points, 350 rebounds, and 200 assists within his first 50 career games. He did it in 49.
The only players to hit that milestone faster? Ben Simmons in 44 games, and Larry Bird in 47.
Let that sink in. Bird.
Simmons. Queen.
That’s the list.
Both Bird and Simmons went on to win Rookie of the Year. While it’s too early to project hardware for Queen, the company he’s keeping speaks volumes.
For the season, Queen is averaging 12.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists - solid numbers, but they don’t tell the full story. What’s been most impressive is his versatility.
He’s not just padding stat sheets; he’s impacting games on multiple fronts. Some nights, he’s a facilitator.
Others, he’s crashing the glass or protecting the rim. And when the Pelicans need a scoring lift, he’s shown he can step up there too.
This is what the Pelicans were banking on when they moved up to get him - a player with the tools to grow into a cornerstone. Sure, the pick they gave up could become a future star. But Queen is showing he’s already on that trajectory himself.
In a league where young talent often takes time to find its footing, Queen is ahead of schedule. The numbers back it up. The eye test does too.
The Pelicans bet big on Derik Queen. And right now, he’s giving them every reason to believe they made the right call.