2025 No. 13 overall pick Derik Queen will likely miss the beginning of the 2025-26 season after undergoing surgery to address a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist, the New Orleans Pelicans announced earlier today. In the press release, the Pelicans said that Queen is expected to be reevaluated in approximately 12 weeks.
The 12-week timetable would place Queen’s re-evaluation date on October 10 or 11, approximately 10 to 11 days before opening night. However, that doesn’t mean the 6-10 center will be cleared then. Even if he is cleared on that day, it will likely take a little time for Queen to be ready to go full tilt.
With 4 Players Recovering From Major Surgeries, Pelicans Projected To Begin Season Shorthanded
Queen sustained the wrist injury in Tuesday’s Summer League game vs. Portland in Las Vegas. It is another unfortunate injury for the snake-bitten Pelicans. Queen is the fourth Pelican to have major surgery since January, with Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy III being the others.
Queen was having a solid summer league before being shut down. In Vegas, Quenn showed a versatile offensive game and proved to be a force as a rebounder and rim protector. He did struggle a little bit shooting the ball and with turnovers.
Queen produced a double-double in each of his three Vegas appearances. He averaged 14.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks with shooting splits of 43.8/50/72.2. His best performance came in the game where he was injured, as he put up 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and two blocks in 28 minutes of action.
New Orleans finished with the fourth-worst record in 2024-25 at 21-61. But the Pelicans fell to seventh in the NBA’s draft lottery. The 21 victories tied the 2011-12 team for the second fewest victories in franchise history, though that squad only played 67 games due to the players’ strike.
After selecting Oklahoma point guard Jeremiah Fears with the seventh pick, the Pelicans moved up 10 spots with a trade with Atlanta to take Queen. The Pelicans sent a 2026 first-round pick (most favorable of Milwaukee/New Orleans pick) and the No. 23 selection (Asa Newell).
What Do The Injuries Mean For The Pelicans
New Orleans has been very busy this offseason, retooling its roster. The Pelicans brought in Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey in the CJ McCollum trade. They also signed free agent Kevon Looney and drafted Micah Peavy in the second round of June’s draft.
New Orleans does have an open spot on its 15-man roster, although it is unclear whether the Pelicans will add another player before the start of the season. The Pelicans are just $2.3 million under the luxury tax. So, if they do add another player, it will likely be a youngster or a veteran willing to sign a non-guaranteed contract.
The Pelicans project to enter the season shorthanded. Besides Queen likely missing the start of the regular season, Murray is expected to be out until at least January after tearing his Achilles Tendon. Meanwhile, Jones (rotator cuff) and Murphy III (torn labrum/rotator cuff) are projected to be ready by training camp. Between Jones and Murphy, it is possible that Murphy will not be ready for the regular season.
Poole, Murphy, Jones, Zion Williamson, and Yves Missi are projected to be the Pelicans’ starting five when the season opens. Fears, Bey, Jordan Hawkins, and Jose Alvarado will make up the Pelicans’ second unit. If Queen isn’t ready to start the regular season, Looney or Karlo Matkovic figure to serve as the Pelicans’ primary backup center.
If Murphy is not ready to start the campaign, Fears or Bey will project to replace him. Assuming Queen is also out for the beginning of the season, Matkovic and Looney could both be part of the Pels’ second unit, with two-way players Trey Alexander or Lester Quinones also getting some minutes. Peavy will likely spend most of the campaign in the G-League.
Photo Credit: © Brad Penner, Imagn Images
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