Amid a dismal 8-31 start to the 2025-26 season, New Orleans Pelicans rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears have emerged as bright spots. The duo, acquired in the draft last June, have earned starting roles and impressed with their performances despite the team's injury woes and coaching change. Their contributions provide a glimpse of potential amid ongoing challenges.
The New Orleans Pelicans are enduring a tough 2025-26 season, sitting at 8-31 with the league's second-worst record. Injuries have sidelined key players, costing 124 man-games and allowing only one full game with the opening lineup. Offensively ranked 26th, defensively 27th, and 27th in net rating, the team has not gained an edge from its 23 home games against 16 road contests. A midseason coaching switch from Willie Green, who started 2-10, to James Borrego, now 6-21, has failed to reverse the fortunes.
In this gloom, rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears stand out. The 6-foot-9 center from Maryland and 6-foot-3 point guard from Oklahoma were targeted by executive vice president Joe Dumars. New Orleans selected Fears seventh overall and traded up from 23rd to 13th for Queen, sending an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta on June 25.
Queen leads 2025 rookies in rebounds, ranks second in assists behind Dallas's Cooper Flagg, second in blocks, and fourth in steals. He has seven double-doubles and the class's only triple-double: 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and three blocks against San Antonio on December 8. That performance made him the first rookie since Michael Jordan in 1985 to achieve 10 field goals, 10 free throws, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game.
"I definitely feel like there’s some similarities," Queen said of comparisons to Nikola Jokić and Alperen Şengün, noting his natural playmaking at center despite his size. Coach Borrego praised Queen's poise: "The biggest thing is what he’s done with the ball in his hands... The courage to go make a play and believe in himself, that’s not easy for a young guy."
Fears, starting by game three amid backcourt injuries to Jordan Poole (18 games missed) and Dejounte Murray (Achilles tear), has scored 10-plus points in 31 of 39 games, ranking third among rookies in points, shots, and free throws. His speed drives the team's pace, drawing Tony Parker comparisons from Borrego.
"I’m definitely learning on the fly," Fears admitted, emphasizing defense manipulation and teammate involvement. His competitive edge has sparked on-court exchanges with stars like Luka Dončić and Jimmy Butler.
Dumars defended the draft cost: "I’m trying to build culture here with some really good young players, and I gave up some draft capital to do that." As losses mount, potentially elevating the 2026 pick's value, Queen and Fears' early impact suggests the gamble may pay off long-term.
