The youth movement is alive and well in The Big Easy; but don’t sleep on the vet chase.
Sources tell me the New Orleans Pelicans are very high on their young bigs—rookie Derik Queen, who they traded up to get in the 2025 NBA Draft, and last year’s rim protector Yves Missi. But that’s not the full story. I’m also told New Orleans are actively exploring adding a veteran center to this roster during free agency.
Call it a frontcourt facelift with experience on the mind.
New Era: Queen & Missi in the Mix
Let’s start with the kids.
Missi turned heads last season as a rookie. The Baylor product has already built a rep for his energy, length, and ability to switch out onto guards defensively. Think: early Jarrett Allen with a little more motor.
Now enter Derik Queen—a Maryland standout who slid slightly on draft night, but has lottery-level talent. Crafty footwork, soft hands, and a high feel for the game. Sources close to the Pelicans tell me the staff believes Queen has the potential to be a modern offensive hub from the elbows and low post… shades of a young Domantas Sabonis if you will.
Translation: the Pelicans got two real ones.
But They’re Not Done
Despite the upside, the message from inside the building is this: New Orleans wants a grown man in the locker room who can bang with Jokic, help in crunch time and teach the young fellas how to be pros. Word is they’re on the hunt for a vet center; someone who’s been there, done that.
So, who are the names floating?
Don’t be shocked if Brook Lopez comes up in internal conversations. He’s a floor spacer, shot blocker, champion and he checks boxes. Same for Al Horford, who may be looking for a final run and could fit culture-wise in NOLA. Kevon Looney is another name execs around the league have loosely tied to the Pelicans as a “glue guy” type who doesn’t need touches but gets boards and makes winning plays.
If you’re thinking younger? Clint Capela or Myles Turner might be dream fits if the financial math works.
Why It Makes Sense
Let’s keep it a buck: the Pelicans are built to take a leap.
Zion Williamson, when healthy is an All-NBA caliber force. Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole are guards with experience and the addition of their NBA draftee Jeremiah Fears is worth the price of admission.
But what the Pelicans have needed for years is simple: Stability down low.
Yves Missi is young. Derik Queen is younger. Both have talent.
But one vet to anchor them?
That could be the difference between a Play-In appearance and a Playoff run.
Final Thought
The Pelicans are threading the needle. In fact, they’re developing talent while keeping pressure on the win-now window. Think San Antonio Spurs when they blended Tim Duncan with David Robinson, or OKC Thunder when Ibaka learned from Nick Collison.
So yes, Yves Missi and Derik Queen are the future. But don’t be surprised if a big-name big man with playoff scars shows up in NOLA this summer to steady the ship.
Free agency opens June 30. And from what I’m hearing?
The Pelicans will be ready.
