Derik Queen’s breakout gives Pacers unexpected chance to fix biggest need

The New Orleans Pelicans made a controversial trade on draft night, sending their 23rd pick (which became Asa Newell) and their unprotected first-round pick for next year to jump up 10 spots. This trade was confusing at the time, and given New Orleans' horrific 2-12 start, it's aging even worse somehow.

However, regardless of what your thoughts on the trade are, there is one part that can't be lost in all of this: the Pelicans may have gotten their center of the future in Derik Queen, who went 13th overall in the draft.

The 20-year-old has looked good during his rookie season. And after the Pelicans fired Willie Green, Queen has started each of their first two games in the James Borrego Era.

In his first 14 games this season, Queen averaged 10.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 47% from the field. Queen does have some flaws in his game. His 2.3 turnovers per game can't be ignored, and his efficiency is quite concerning for a 6-foot-10 big man, but it's clear that he has talent.

On Nov. 12, the Maryland native recorded 26 points on 12-for-18 shooting, seven rebounds, and four assists off the bench. And exactly one week later, he had a career game against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, recording 30 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals in the game. Queen has also shown flashes as a great passer, especially for a big man, which makes him an intriguing long-term fit in New Orleans.

There is a lot to like about Queen in New Orleans, and given his emergence and potential, he may have made Yves Missi expendable. And the Indiana Pacers must absolutely look into trading for him.

Pacers should explore a trade for Yves Missi

Missi is another young and talented big man in New Orleans. He is just 21 years old and had a solid rookie season last year, averaging 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 73 games. However, he has already seen a big drop in his role with the Pelicans (he went from averaging 26.8 minutes per game to 19.4). And if Queen continues the trajectory he's on, then Missi could be on the move sooner rather than later.

There is a lot to like about the idea of the Baylor alum in Indiana. He is incredibly athletic and plays with a lot of energy, and he has a lot of defensive potential as a rim protector. Think something along the lines of a younger and bigger Isaiah Jackson.

New Orleans is already creating a bit of a logjam in the frontcourt. In addition to Missi and Queen, the team has Zion Williamson, Karlo Matković, and Kevon Looney. Plus, Herbert Jones can play both forward positions.

Whether the team will truly have any interest in trading Missi or not remains to be seen, but it's still something worth monitoring for the Pacers as they continue to navigate through life post-Myles Turner.

Missi wouldn't be a savior for the Pacers, but he would arguably immediately be their best center. And he has a lot more upside than everybody else on the roster. Plus, he is still on his rookie contract for another couple of years, so he would also be a great fit in Indiana for financial reasons as well.

The Pacers will have some decisions to make this season and next summer regarding their center situation. And New Orleans should be one of the first places they look to find some answers.