New Orleans Pelicans exercise player options for Fears, Queen, and Missi

The New Orleans Pelicans have exercised contract options for Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, and Yves Missi for the 2027/28 season.

Jeremiah Fears, the seventh overall pick in the 2025 draft, averaged 14.3 points and 3.4 assists last season and was named to the NBA All-Rookie second team. Derik Queen, selected 13th overall in 2025, also earned All-Rookie second team honors after averaging 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds. Yves Missi, the team’s projected starting center, had his fourth-year option exercised following a season where he averaged 7.5 points and 7.1 rebounds.

In contrast, the Pelicans declined the team option on AJ Johnson for the 2027/28 season, which will make him an unrestricted free agent after this year.