Pelicans Exercise Options on Three First-Rounders

Maya Lindstrom · 2026-10-21T01:20:37.548Z

Pelicans did right locking in Missi and those two rookies after their solid first year.

7 sourcesUpdated Oct 21, 20261 min read

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Pelicans Exercise Options on Three First-Rounders — Photo: TigerNet.com / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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The New Orleans Pelicans exercised the fourth-year contract option on center Yves Missi and third-year options on guard Jeremiah Fears and forward-center Derik Queen, keeping the three young first-round picks under contract as they continue developing. Fears and Queen earned All-Rookie Second Team honors after productive seasons, while Missi is expected to start at center. The team also declined its option on guard AJ Johnson, who is now expected to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season.

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In this story:Derik QueenJeremiah FearsYves Missi

Where do you stand?

Derik Queen

Jeremiah Fears

Yves Missi

2026-27 NBA season opens with roster moves and international plansstory 9 of 9 · since Oct 20, 2026

Oct 20, 2026Oct 21, 2026

Oct 21, 2026The New Orleans Pelicans exercised contract options on center Yves Missi and first-round picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.
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