Pelicans Exercise Rookie Options For Missi, Fears, and Queen While Declining AJ Johnson
The New Orleans Pelicans exercised rookie scale and third-year team options for the 2027-28 season on center Yves Missi, guard Jeremiah Fears, and forward Derik Queen, while declining the option on AJ Johnson, HoopsHype reported.
Executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars shaped these roster decisions ahead of the regular season opener. Missi enters his third season as the club’s projected starting center. Fears and Queen each secured their team options after productive rookie campaigns that earned them NBA All-Rookie second-team honors.
Roster Decisions and Financial Terms for 2027-28
The franchise exercised the 2027-28 team option for Jeremiah Fears at $8.27MM, Derik Queen at $5.67MM, and Yves Missi at $5.6MM, according to HoopsHype. Simultaneously, New Orleans declined the $5.49MM team option for AJ Johnson, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
The #Pelicans announced today that the team has exercised a fourth-year option on center Yves Missi and third-year options on guard Jeremiah Fears and forward-center Derik Queenhttps://t.co/TfqhGdLvOq
Johnson arrived in New Orleans last month via a four-player deal with the Grizzlies. The 23rd overall pick of the 2024 draft played for three teams in his first two professional seasons. During the 2025-26 campaign, Johnson averaged 3.3 points and 1.1 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per game across 48 appearances for Washington and Dallas, according to HoopsHype. Because his team option was declined, New Orleans cannot offer him a starting salary exceeding $5.49MM if he plays out the final year of his contract, though rival suitors face no such restriction.
Rookie Campaigns of Fears and Queen
Jeremiah Fears entered the NBA as the seventh overall pick in the 2025 draft out of Oklahoma. He appeared in all 82 games with 49 starts during his rookie season, averaging 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 25.8 minutes per contest, NBA.com reported. Fears scored in double figures 59 times, recorded 17 games with at least 20 points, and shot 33 percent from three-point range, according to HoopsHype. He begins the new season as the probable sixth man behind starting point guard Dejounte Murray.
Derik Queen arrived via a draft-night trade in 2025 that sent an unprotected 2026 draft pick to move into the 13th spot for the Maryland forward, HoopsHype reported. Queen played 81 games with 48 starts as a rookie, averaging 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 25 minutes per game, according to NBA.com. He recorded two triple-doubles, standing as the only rookie with more than one, and may begin the upcoming season coming off the bench.
Yves Missi’s Progression in New Orleans
Yves Missi was drafted 21st overall out of Baylor in 2024. Across his first two seasons, Missi has appeared in 139 games with 81 total starts, compiling 19 career double-doubles, NBA.com reported. After making 67 starts as a rookie, his playing time decreased in his second season. Missi averaged 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 19.7 minutes per game across 66 contests with 14 starts last year, according to HoopsHype. Despite the reduced role, his retention as a rotation player and projected starting center solidified the front office’s decision to pick up his option.
#Pelicans announce they've exercised options on Yves Missi, Jeremiah Fears, and Derik Queen pic.twitter.com/gFxVtIET1v
Season Opener Against the Indiana Pacers
The Pelicans open the regular season Wednesday night at home against the Indiana Pacers, NBA.com reported.
The New Orleans Pelicans exercised team options on Jeremiah Fears ($8.27M), Derik Queen ($5.67M) and Yves Missi ($5.60M) for the 2027-28 season. New Orleans will decline their team option on AJ Johnson ($5.49M) for the 2027-28 season. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2027
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