Kendrick Perkins, a former NBA player, has come to the defense of the New Orleans Pelicans’ recent lottery pick, Derik Queen, amidst criticisms surrounding his selection and performance. Perkins, who has a history of praising basketball talent, believes Queen possesses exceptional skills that could greatly benefit the Pelicans in the long run.
The Pelicans underwent significant changes this offseason, including the hiring of Joe Dumars, a former Executive of the Year, as their President of Basketball Operations. One of his pivotal decisions involved trading the team’s future first-round pick for the 13th pick in the 2025 NBA draft, which landed them Queen. Unfortunately, Queen’s Summer League performance was cut short due to a wrist injury, leading to scrutiny about the team’s choice.
Despite the challenges, Perkins remains optimistic about Queen’s potential. He highlighted Queen’s impressive college statistics, averaging 18.7 points and 8.7 rebounds during the NCAA tournament, and noted his double-double performances in Summer League games. Perkins envisions a bright future for Queen, labeling him as possibly the “most skilled player in this draft” with a “limitless ceiling.” He even drew comparisons between Queen and established stars like Nikola Jokic and Alperen Sengun, suggesting Queen has the complete package.
As the Pelicans assess their roster, particularly concerning Zion Williamson’s future, Perkins is confident that a healthy Derik Queen could emerge as a strong asset for the team. With limited center options available, Queen’s return could add much-needed dynamism to the Pelicans, provided he continues to develop his skills and adapt to the professional level.
With optimism surrounding Queen’s recovery and potential contributions, Pelicans fans may have reasons to look forward to what he can bring to the court in the upcoming season.