Developing Big Men for the New Orleans Pelicans' Front Court Success
The New Orleans Pelicans have a clear weakness in their front court, but it will also be one of the most interesting positions to watch as their big men are developing well. The Athletic's Zach Harper recently released a ranking of the top 40 big men in the entire NBA, and among those were both Derik Queen and Yves Missi.
This list was really designed more for centers, so while Zion Williamson is a four, he isn't included in this rankings. As for Queen and Missi, they both fell in the bottom tier of the list in the "As Solid As It Gets" category. They are both indeed solid, but they are both ranked below thirty, which means there are a handful of backups listed ahead of their starter.
What Happened to Derik Queen and Yves Missi?
Derik Queen, the center/power forward, might have to wait until the Williamson era is over before he officially takes over as the center. Harper wrote that his best chance to establish himself in the NBA will be as a small-ball big, which is very fair, but that could never happen in a starting role for the Pelicans right now. Queen and Williamson did not work together at all last season. Joe Dumars does want to give the situation more time to figure itself out, but there is no guarantee that happens.
As a rookie, Queen showcased enormous offensive potential. It would not be a stretch to imagine him becoming the best offensive center in the NBA. The question is if he can do enough work on the side to become reliable on the defensive end. If he does that, he'll skyrocket up this list.
What Happened to Yves Missi?
Yves Missi's numbers went down as a sophomore, so some might not know that he actually played much better in Year 2 than he did as a rookie. He's a very raw basketball talent, which means he's still going to be improving in major leaps at a time. The 22-year-old established himself as a dangerous shot-blocker, which is what the Pelicans desperately need. His athletic ceiling is as high as any center in the NBA, but he has lacked a little bit of strength that has gotten him pushed around on defense at the time. He'll need to find a balance.
Why It Matters for the New Orleans Pelicans
Despite Queen being the "higher profile" player, Missi will likely begin the year as a starter due to fit. The Pelicans desperately need a reliable shot-blocker, and Missi has the potential to be that player. However, he'll need to work on his strength and defensive skills to reach his full potential.
What Comes Next?
The New Orleans Pelicans will be closely watching the development of their big men, particularly Queen and Missi. They'll need to see significant improvement from both players if they want to be a competitive team in the NBA. Ahead of a run of games, you can check on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page to see the Pelicans' schedule.
Last result: Minnesota Timberwolves 132-126 New Orleans Pelicans (2026-04-13). Recent form (last 5): 1W-0D-4L (LLLLW, most recent first); lost the last 4.
