Sports · Basketball · 3 hrs ago
Pelicans Pick Up Options for Fears, Queen and Missi, Decline Johnson's
The New Orleans Pelicans picked up 2027/28 options for Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen and Yves Missi.
The three young players are expected to remain with the team for another season beyond the current one.
Fears, a 2025 first-round pick, averaged 14.3 points and 3.4 assists last season, while Queen averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists as a rookie.
Missi's role shrank in his second season, but he remains a possible rotation player and starter at center.
The team declined its option on AJ Johnson, who joined New Orleans last month and has played for three teams in his first two NBA seasons.
Johnson is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, meaning other teams can offer him a contract; New Orleans would be limited in what it could offer if he plays out his contract.
The Pelicans exercised their 2027/28 team options for Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen and Yves Missi.
They declined AJ Johnson’s 2027/28 option, making him an unrestricted free agent after this season.
The options are worth $8.27 million for Fears, $5.67 million for Queen and $5.6 million for Missi.
Johnson’s declined option is worth $5.49 million.
- Who
- The New Orleans Pelicans and players Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, Yves Missi and AJ Johnson.
- What
- The Pelicans picked up options for Fears, Queen and Missi, and declined Johnson’s option for 2027/28.
- When
- The decisions were reported on October 20, 2026. The options cover the 2027/28 season.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The Pelicans viewed Missi as a rotation player and potential starting center. The article says Johnson had not established himself as a reliable role player.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
AJ Johnson was selected 23rd overall.
Jeremiah Fears was selected seventh overall, and the Pelicans selected Derik Queen 13th after trading for the pick.
Fears, Queen, Missi and Johnson played for NBA teams; Johnson appeared for Washington and Dallas.
The Pelicans’ 2027/28 option decisions were reported.
- Fears option
- $8.27 million for 2027/28
- Queen option
- $5.67 million for 2027/28
- Missi option
- $5.6 million for 2027/28
- Johnson option declined
- $5.49 million for 2027/28
- Johnson’s 2025/26 average
- 3.3 points and 1.1 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per game
Posts on X
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