Derik Queen’s rookie season was quite successful. The young big man is fourth in the NBA newest rookie ladder and has shown incredible flashes as a passer and scorer, and is starting to show floor spacing ability. However, one thing is abundantly clear. Derik Queen can’t be a starter at this point in his career because he simply isn’t strong enough and doesn’t have the requisite elite rebounding and defensive instincts.
Unfortunately for the New Orleans Pelicans, they missed a golden opportunity to acquire the perfect long-term center to partner with Queen at this year’s trade deadline in Jarrett Allen.
In Saturday’s win over Philadelphia, in which DeAndre Jordan started at center, one thing was clear: Queen plays its best basketball when he’s next to a big man who rebounds and blocks shots at an elite level. When DQ shares the frontcourt with a player like this, he can focus on being great offensively. It also gives the Pelicans a huge advantage on the glass, something they have struggled with as they give up fifth most rebounds per game.
Allen could have come to New Orleans and been the perfect long-term partner for Queen in the team’s front court. But with his play lately, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ attitude toward Allen has likely changed.
The Pelicans will be forced to pivot
A few days before the NBA trade deadline, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Cavs were taking Allen calls out. But after seeing the connection he’s built with James Harden in just six games, the chances of Cleveland trading away his starting spot seem less likely than ever.
At four of Allen’s last six gameshe has scored 21 or more points and had three rebound performances of more than 13. During the Harden era in Cleveland, Allen is averaging 20.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.1 shares (steals + blocks) and shooting 75.4 percent from the field, and the team is 5-1. The pick-and-roll tandem these two have created, combined with Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, gives the Cavs a core four that will be nearly impossible to stop in the East.
For that reason, it is highly unlikely that the Cavaliers will take the same approach this offseason as they did at the trade deadline. And even if they do, the asking price will certainly be higher than it was a few weeks ago. This means that if the Pelicans plan to fill their need for a true center alongside Derik Queen, they will have to pivot in a different direction.
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