NEW ORLEANS, October 21, 2026 — The New Orleans Pelicans are keeping three of their promising young players in the picture, exercising contract options on center Yves Missi, guard Jeremiah Fears and forward-center Derik Queen ahead of the 2026–27 NBA regular season.
The team exercised Missi’s fourth-year contract option and third-year options for Fears and Queen, moves announced Tuesday that reinforce New Orleans’ commitment to developing its young talent.
All three players made encouraging contributions last season, giving the Pelicans reason to retain them as they continue building their roster under executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and head coach Jamahl Mosley.
According to the Associated Press, Missi is projected to serve as the team’s starting center, while Fears and Queen are expected to remain important pieces of the rotation.
Yves Missi: A key presence in the paint
Missi, selected 21st overall out of Baylor in the 2024 NBA Draft, has established himself as a young center with defensive potential.
Through his first 139 NBA appearances, he averaged 7.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 23.4 minutes per game, including 81 starts. He has also recorded 19 career double-doubles.
Exercising his fourth-year option gives New Orleans another season of contractual control over the 22-year-old big man, who is expected to play a significant role in protecting the rim and securing rebounds.
His continued development could be particularly important as the Pelicans seek consistency in the frontcourt.
Jeremiah Fears: Building on an impressive rookie campaign
Fears, the seventh overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma, delivered a productive first NBA season.
He appeared in all 82 regular-season games, starting 49, and averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 25.8 minutes per game.
The young guard scored at least 10 points in 59 games, including 17 performances with 20 or more points. His production earned him a place on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
By exercising his third-year option, the Pelicans are maintaining their investment in a guard who has already demonstrated scoring ability and the potential to contribute to the team’s offense.
His role and opportunities for further growth will be among the storylines to watch this season.
Derik Queen: An all-around contributor with triple-double potential
Queen, chosen 13th overall out of Maryland in the 2025 NBA Draft, also earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team recognition after a strong debut campaign.
He averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 81 games, starting 48 of them while playing approximately 25 minutes per contest.
Queen also recorded two triple-doubles during his rookie season, making him the only rookie to register more than one, according to the AP report.
His ability to contribute as a scorer, rebounder and playmaker gives New Orleans another versatile young frontcourt option.
The challenge now will be to build on that production while continuing to improve the other areas of his game.
What the contract decisions mean for New Orleans
The three options provide continuity as the Pelicans enter a new season with expectations for their young players to take on meaningful responsibilities.
Missi is projected to anchor the starting center position, while Fears brings scoring potential in the backcourt and Queen offers versatility in the frontcourt.
Their rookie performances also suggest that New Orleans has several developing pieces capable of contributing beyond their initial seasons.
However, exercising a team option is not the same as signing a long-term contract extension. The decisions secure the players for the applicable option years but do not guarantee that each will receive a larger role or remain with the franchise indefinitely.
A separate roster decision also highlights the competitive nature of the NBA business. CBS Sports reported that the Pelicans declined the team option on guard AJ Johnson, leaving him on course to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026–27 season.
That contrast underscores how teams must balance potential, performance, roster needs and salary commitments when shaping their lineups.
Pelicans turn attention to the regular season
New Orleans is scheduled to open its regular season at home against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, October 21.
With Missi, Fears and Queen retained for their respective option years, attention now shifts to how effectively the trio can translate their early promise into consistent contributions.
For the Pelicans, the immediate objective is clear: develop their young talent while building a more competitive and balanced roster.
Whether these three players can become long-term cornerstones will depend on their continued progress, their roles within Mosley’s system and the team’s results throughout the season.
