Pelicans Exercise Options on Three First-Rounders

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.