Latest news with #Pelicans'
Miami Herald
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Pelicans rookie C Derik Queen has wrist surgery
New Orleans Pelicans first-round pick Derik Queen is recovering from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist, the team announced Friday. The 20-year-old center, selected 13th overall in last month's draft, will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks. The timeline stretches into training camp and potentially jeopardizes his availability for the start of the season. Queen sustained the injury to his scapholunate ligament during the Pelicans' NBA Summer League game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday in Las Vegas. He averaged 14.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in three games during the summer circuit. Queen was the 2024-25 Big Ten Freshman of the Year at Maryland after averaging 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in 36 games (all starts). He was acquired by the Pelicans from the Atlanta Hawks in a draft-night trade. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
NBC Sports
18-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Pelicans' No. 13 pick Derik Queen undergoes wrist surgery, will be re-evaluated in three months
Derik Queen — the No. 13 pick that New Orleans gave up a lot to move up and draft — has undergone surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist, the Pelicans have announced. Queen will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks, the team said. That timeline has him being re-evaluated during training camp and potentially near the start of the NBA season. That means he will likely be unable to physically participate in all of his first NBA training camp and could be out until the start of the NBA season, depending on how his healing process goes. Queen suffered the wrist injury during the Pelicans' Summer League game against the Trail Blazers on July 15. As noted by Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes, this is the same ligament surgery the Thunder's Jalen Williams had after the season (and championship parade). The scaphoid ligament, located in the middle of the wrist, connects the scaphoid and lunate bones, playing a critical role in wrist stability. Spraining or tearing the ligament is painful, which is why Williams had more than 20 pain-killing injections to get through the playoffs. Queen showed off an impressive offensive skill set during NBA Summer League, averaging 14 points and 10.7 rebounds a game, and garnering three double-doubles. The No. 13 pick Derik Queen with the spin move and score 💯 The New Orleans rookie has 12 points & 12 rebounds! 📺 Lakers-Pelicans on ESPN2 However, Queen had 17 turnovers in those three games; he was passive for stretches and didn't play with much physicality, which led to some real struggles on the defensive end. His recognition and commitment on defense were an issue, and it could limit his playing time once he gets healthy and the season starts. The challenge for Pelicans coach Willie Green is where Queen fits in a frontcourt rotation with Zion Williamson, Yves Missi and Kevon Looney. Health is going to be critical to the Pelicans' success this season, and they are now heading into training camp with Queen, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones, and Dejounte Murray all coming off of surgery (Murray will miss a chunk of the season due to a torn Achilles). The Pelicans traded the No. 23 pick this season and, more importantly, a highly valuable unprotected first-round pick in 2026, to Atlanta to move up to No. 13 and get Queen. If the Pelicans do not make the playoffs — a very distinct possibility in a very deep West, especially if they can't stay healthy — that could be a lottery pick next June, maybe a high one, in what is considered a deep 2026 draft. Around the league, trading away that pick was seen as likely the worst trade of the offseason. It puts a lot of pressure on General Manager Joe Dumars and the Pelicans' front office for Queen to be worthy of the trade. His missing at least part of training camp is not ideal for this.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
New Orleans Pelicans secure defensive star Herbert Jones with five-year, $97 million deal with player option
(Image Source - Getty Images) The New Orleans Pelicans are showing their serious commitment to defense by signing forward Herbert Jones to a big three-year, $68 million contract extension. This deal, which was announced on July 10, 2025, comes with a player option for the 2029–30 season, making sure that Jones stays a vital piece of the Pelicans' defense through the 2028–29 season. From second-round pick to NBA All-Defensive First Team Herbert Jones went from being the 35th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft to making the All-Defensive First Team in 2024, showcasing his incredible work ethic and defensive skills. During the 2023–24 season, he topped the Pelicans with 105 steals and set a personal best with 62 blocks, becoming the only non-center on the All-Defensive First Team. His knack for guarding various positions and breaking up rival offenses has made him one of the top perimeter defenders in the league. Even though the 2024–25 season was tough for Jones, as he only played 20 games because of a shoulder injury that needed surgery, his influence when he was fit was clear. With averages of 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, Jones showed off his versatile skills and proved his worth to the team. The extension shows how much the Pelicans believe in Jones' potential and their plan to create a championship-worthy team that leverages his defensive skills. With five years and $97 million now locked in for Jones, including the player option, the Pelicans are setting themselves up for long-term success in the tough Western Conference. As Jones works on his rehab and gets ready for the next season, the Pelicans are feeling hopeful about him getting back to full health and growing as a two-way player. With a long-term contract in his corner, Jones is set to take his game to the next level and play a big role in the Pelicans' quest for an NBA championship. Also Read: Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington support young Mavericks during Summer League opener in Las Vegas Herbert Jones' extension isn't just about money; it's a smart strategy that highlights the New Orleans Pelicans' commitment to creating a team focused on strong defense and ready for future victories. As Jones keeps growing and setting a good example, the Pelicans' outlook for the next few seasons seems brighter than ever. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bill Simmons calls Pelicans' draft trade with Hawks one of ‘dumbest of decade'
The post Bill Simmons calls Pelicans' draft trade with Hawks one of 'dumbest of decade' appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New Orleans Pelicans stunned fans and media members alike on Wednesday with a draft-night trade — and not in a good way. Advertisement Despite being one of the NBA's worst teams this past season, the Pelicans, in a move not seen often by bottom dwellers, traded away future draft capital to get back into the lottery Wednesday night. New Orleans ultimately traded the Indiana Pacers' 2026 first-round pick back to Indiana in exchange for the No. 23 overall pick last night. The Pelicans then turned the 23rd pick into the Atlanta Hawks' 13th selection when they shockingly threw in either their pick or the Milwaukee Bucks' pick next year. They used the 13th pick to draft Derik Queen. With no protections and considering it is the most favorable pick of the two teams, the Pelicans could have inadvertently traded away one of the best picks in the 2026 draft. And Bill Simmons is not going to let them forget it. 'This was when I lost my mind. I think I blacked out,' Simmons said on the 'Bill Simmons Podcast' last night. 'I'm so glad the NBA can still give us these. New Orleans trades up 10 spots so they can take Derik Queen. And they give up their unprotected 2026 first-round pick swap that they have with Milwaukee, where they have the favorable — whatever the better pick is, they keep. They send that to Atlanta, who had to be deliriously happy. Like, 'We only have to move down 10 spots and we get an unprotected…' This was one of the five dumbest trades of this decade. I was speechless! I just can't believe it. And who is it? It's our guy, Joe Dumars. And now he just traded away their unprotected 2026 pick… They're in the West. What the f–k does he thinks is going to happen next year?' Dumars, who defended the trade for the pick used to draft Queen, joined the organization earlier this offseason, shortly after David Griffin was fired as president of basketball operations. He was most recently working in the NBA league office, and before that, was a longtime executive with the Detroit Pistons. Advertisement The Pelicans would seemingly be among the worst teams in the NBA next season, particularly with major questions surrounding Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray, both of whom missed extensive time this past season due to injury. Related: Shams Charania claps back at Bill Simmons over Derik Queen-Pelicans trade Related: Pelicans' Joe Dumars sounds off on Derik Queen trade that's getting panned
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pelicans' Zion Williamson hit with ‘focal point' label by Joe Dumars
The post Pelicans' Zion Williamson hit with 'focal point' label by Joe Dumars appeared first on ClutchPoints. As rumors have surrounded New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, the team's executive vice president of basketball operations, Joe Dumars, spoke about the plans surrounding the former No. 1 overall pick. Away from basketball, the Pelicans player in Williamson also has allegations of rape according to a recent lawsuit, adding more controversy to the 24-year-old. Advertisement Despite the immense amount of speculation around Williamson and possibly being dealt this offseason, Dumars would say to Rod Walker of The Times-Picayune that the team will move 'forward' with the star. He would even go as far as to say that Williamson will 'continue to be a focal point' for the franchise. 'I've had really good conversations with Zion,' Dumars said. 'We've had lunch. Dinner. Watched playoff games together. We've done it all. I've had some real, honest conversations with him. Some real, direct, and honest conversations. We're going to go forward with Zion. He's going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward.' It seems as if Dumars and Williamson have cemented a relationship together, even mentioning when they attended the NBA Draft Lottery this past May. 'I sent him to the lottery for a reason,' Dumars said. 'I want him to start focusing on the responsibilities of being the best player here and the focal point. There are some responsibilities that come with that. Go represent your organization.' Some within Pelicans speak about the allegations against Zion Williamson Rob Gray-Imagn Images While some of the Pelicans have broken their silence over the allegations against Williams, such as owner Gayle Benson, it seems as if she downplayed the news. Saying that 'people can sue you for anything' when asked about the recent court filing in Los Angeles which accusses Willamson of rape and assault in 2020. Advertisement 'You know, lawsuits are lawsuits,' Benson said. 'You really can't, you don't know. I mean, people can sue you for anything. There's no reason. You can be innocent or not. It's just something that people do, unfortunately.' Dumars wouldn't give his full thoughts on the matter since he doesn't delve into legal matters. 'I've been advised not to venture into any of his legal issues,' Dumars said. Speaking about Williamson's ventures on the court, it's been an arguable mixed bag as he's a two-time All-Star, but has missed a ton of time with injuries. 'We've had some real direct conversations with him about that,' Dumars said. 'Expectations. Accountability. That's our plan going forward with Zion.' Advertisement At any rate, New Orleans is looking to vastly improve after finishing last season with a 21-61 record, which put them 14th in the Western Conference. Related: Pelicans owner Gayle Benson breaks silence on Zion Williamson rape lawsuit Related: Pelicans rumors: Zion Williamson trade offers to feature 'bad contracts, no picks'
