Washington Wizards: Alex Sarr and Bub Carrington Achieve Insane Rookie Feat Not Seen Since 1963-64 9 Feb 26, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) takes a free throw during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

'What If He Ends Up Being a Hall of Famer?' – Shams Charania Rebuffs Bill Simmons Over New Orleans Pelicans’ Derik Queen Trade

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 12:49 PM ET

The New Orleans Pelicans traded the 23rd overall pick and an unprotected 2026 first-rounder to the Atlanta Hawks to move up to No. 13 and select Derik Queen, and the move has been called “one of the five dumbest trades of this decade” by Bill Simmons on his podcast.

ESPN’s Shams Charania hit back on Simmons’ criticism, saying that it’s too early to judge if the move to acquire the Maryland Terrapins center would eventually pan out or not for the New Orleans Pelicans.

“How can you judge that? What if he ends up being a Hall of Famer? What if he ends up being a perennial All-Star?” Charania said on the Pat McAfee Show. “Then no one is going to be talking about this in three years.”

Feb 26, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) rebounds the ball during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

“So clearly Joe Dumars, Troy Weaver, that organization—they felt very confident in the player that Derik Queen is. Only time will tell how that is…For the Pelicans, it’s all about how Derik Queen ends up, how he develops, and what’s he like in his NBA career. If Derik Queen ends up a perennial All-Star caliber player, like, are we having a conversation?” he added.

New Orleans Pelicans News: Derik Queen receives “Baby Jokic” comp from ESPN analyst

Former NBA center Kendrick Perkins was present at Barclays Center when the New Orleans Pelicans drafted Derik Queen with the 13th overall pick. The one-time NBA champion had an interesting star comparison for the former Maryland Terrapins big.

Mar 1, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) drives the ball to the basket as Penn State Nittany Lions forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) defends during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

“Derik Queen has the potential upside of a (Alperen) Sengun/Baby Jokic. That’s how skilled he is,” Perkins said about the incoming New Orleans Pelicans rookie.

Queen was famous for hitting the game-winning shot at the buzzer to lead Maryland to a 72-71 victory over the Colorado State Rams during the 2025 NCAA Tournament. He won the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award after averaging 16.5 points, nine rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game on 52.6 percent shooting from the field.