Derik Queen walked out of NBA Draft night fueling the future of New Orleans Pelicans basketball. But he walked into criticism as well.

The Pelicans traded up to No. 13 to grab the Maryland star on Wednesday. NBA legend Joe Dumars helped facilitate the move in the Pelicans' draft room. Yet it was Jeremiah Fears who drew more praise compared to Queen.

Bill Simmons of The Ringer scoffed at the trade to nab Queen. Saying “this was one of the five dumbest trades of this decade.” One NBA exec even told The Athletic's John Hollinger that he'd rather be the team that earned AJ Dybantsa in this move.

Queen since broke his silence about the draft night criticism. By dropping this stern warning to the rest of the league Saturday.

“I don't think anyone in that class is ever going to be better than me,” Queen began. “Most of those guys I beat on in high school… Just beat on them next year and make Joe [Dumars] look like a genius.”

Queen is clearly using the harsh critique as fuel for a breakout rookie season. He managed to win over one NBA champion, though.

Article Continues Below
More Pelicans News
Derik Queen stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 13th pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Kendrick Perkins embraces ‘Baby Jokic’ comp for Pelicans’ Derik QueenRichard Pereira ·
Pelicans' Derik Queen stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 13th pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center with Pelicans' Joe Dumars in the background
Shams Charania claps back at Bill Simmons over Derik Queen-Pelicans tradeJulian Ojeda ·
Asa Newell stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 23rd pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Bill Simmons calls Pelicans’ draft trade with Hawks one of ‘dumbest of decade’Preston Byers ·
Pelicans' Derik Queen stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 13th pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center with Pelicans' Joe Dumars in the background
Pelicans’ Joe Dumars sounds off on Derik Queen trade that’s getting pannedJosue Pavon ·
Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray warms up before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Smoothie King Center with Pelicans' Joe Dumars in the background
Pelicans’ Joe Dumars breaks silence on Dejounte Murray calling out organizationJosue Pavon ·
Derik Queen reacts on stage after being selected as the 13th pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Pelicans’ Derik Queen teases fans with bold claim at NBA draftJosh Davis ·

Pelicans' Derik Queen earned huge comparison by NBA title winner 

Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) dribbles down court past Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) during the second half during a West Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Chase Center.
Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Count former Boston Celtics NBA title winner and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins as one who loves Queen's game.

The 2008 league champion even dropped this comparison: Perkins called Queen a Nikola Jokic type. The same Jokic who won the 2022-2023 season NBA title with the Denver Nuggets. Perkins also compared Queen to Houston Rockets star Alperen Sengun.

Dumars, meanwhile, defended the decision to trade up for Queen.

”‘When you identify a player that you think, this can be one of the foundation (pieces) here, you go and get him.’ That’s what we did,” Dumars said to reporters. “We targeted Queen.”

New Orleans will now build with a 6-foot-10 forward who delivered 16.5 points per game during his freshman campaign. Which became his first and only college basketball season.