Locked On Pelicans

Rookie Derik Queen's breakout performances have the New Orleans Pelicans reconsidering their entire franchise direction. After leading fourth-quarter comebacks in consecutive wins, the 20-year-old center is forcing difficult questions about Zion Williamson's future in New Orleans. Jake Madison and Dylan Sanders analyze Queen's stunning statistical impact—plus-19 points per 100 possessions with elite defensive metrics—while dissecting Jordan Poole's disastrous minus-19.4 on-off rating. The discussion examines whether the Pelicans should abandon their win-now timeline built around Williamson, Trey Murphy, and Herb Jones to embrace a youth movement featuring Queen and fellow rookie Jeremiah Fears. Key topics include Queen's defensive instincts that rival established stars, the failed CJ McCollum-for-Poole trade, and why the franchise's competing timelines are creating roster construction chaos. Discover why both hosts believe trading Zion Williamson has become significantly more realistic after just two games of