The New Orleans Pelicans went winless in Las Vegas Summer League. Again. That’s 0-5 this year and an 11-game losing streak dating back to 2023, the longest such stretch in the event’s history. No, Summer League isn’t about wins and losses. However, it gives fans and front offices a gauge of where their young players stand in their development between the end of their college careers and training camp. In Las Vegas, we saw growing pains, depth concerns, and a new question mark on the floor.
Let’s break it all down.
Team Picture: Identity? Still MIA
Summer League is a series of developmental pick-up games, but even in a casual setting, teams need an identity. The Pelicans didn’t have one. There wasn’t a consistent philosophy on either end of the floor. Offensively, they leaned heavily on individual shot creation. Defensively, there were lapses in communication and effort. And with injuries limiting minutes for key guys, we didn’t see any extended stretches of cohesion.
If anything, the Summer League squad reflected the big club in New Orleans: flashes of potential, uncertain direction, and too much inconsistency.
Jeremiah Fears: Bright Future, Rough Start
Fears had moments where he looked like the best scorer on the floor, and by the numbers, he was. He averaged 17.4 points per game in Vegas to lead the Pelicans. He showed the ability to create shots, played with confidence, and wasn’t afraid to take over. He even stood his ground, going toe-to-toe with Sidy Cissoko in the Pels’ loss to Portland. Though it led to his ejection, Fears’ competitive edge was evident.
| Player | ORTG | DRTG | SL Net Rating | SL PER |
| Antonio Reeves | 126.0 | 109.6 | 16.4 | 23.0 |
| Hunter Dickinson | 105.4 | 104.2 | 1.2 | 18.1 |
| Trey Alexander | 119.3 | 112.2 | 7.0 | 16.0 |
| Keion Brooks | 112.3 | 110.2 | 2.1 | 14.7 |
| Derik Queen | 87.7 | 99.7 | -12.0 | 14.5 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 87.1 | 108.1 | -20.9 | 12.0 |
| Yves Missi | 80.3 | 97.3 | -17.0 | 11.7 |
| Lester Quinones | 92.8 | 106.3 | -13.5 | 9.1 |
| Christian Shumate | 83.9 | 107.2 | -23.3 | 8.1 |
But the deeper you dig, the more the warts show.
Fears shot just 18.2% from three and turned the ball over five times per game. His net rating came in at -20.9, and his player efficiency rating (PER) was only 8.6.
Fears is still just 18 years old, and you can see the talent. But the game is moving fast for him right now. He’s a project, a worthwhile one, but not yet ready to contribute real NBA minutes. With the pressure on Willie Green to win games early and often, the Pelicans will likely rely on their more experienced guards when the season starts. Based on what we’ve seen so far, the best case scenario is that Fears earns a spot in the rotation sometime after the midway point.
Derik Queen: Strong Start, Unfortunate Stop
Queen was probably the player fans were most eager to see. He came in with the reputation of a polished post scorer and elite rebounder. And for three games, he delivered glimpses of that potential: 18.6 points and 14.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. He shot 43.8% from the floor and 50% from three, albeit on low volume.
But then came the injury.
A torn wrist ligament shut Queen down, and the team will re-evaluate him in 12 weeks. That takes us well into the preseason, maybe the regular season. His steady improvement over three games suggests he was on the right track, but his 7.5 turnovers per 36, another Summer League high, shows the game was still a bit fast for him too.
Reeves, Missi, and Others: Some Stability at Least
Antonio Reeves did what a veteran should: show up, score, and make smart plays. He shot 46.3% from the floor (31.3 3P%) and finished second in scoring average with 14.4 points per game. More importantly, his offensive rating (126.0) led the team’s primary players, and his scoring was consistent throughout. If Jordan Hawkins doesn’t improve, Reeves might be knocking on the door for his spot.
Yves Missi had strong moments defensively, but his offensive game still has a long way to go. He blocked 2.9 shots per 36, but he didn’t do enough as a roller or finisher in traffic. Too often Missi was trying to do too much with the ball in his hands. The rest of the offseason should be spent working on game situations, not expanding his range.
Hunter Dickinson also had a few decent showings. He’s not flashy, but he’s a big body who rebounds and plays with physicality. With Queen sidelined, Dickinson becomes much more important, even if he’s still a fringe roster guy.
Turnover Trouble
Fears and Queen broke a dubious Summer League record; both posted turnover averages higher than any Pelican rookie before them. Fears had 5.0 per game, Queen had 5.7 per game.
For context, the previous high was 4.7 turnovers per game (Julian Wright). That’s not the kind of milestone anyone wants to break. And it underscores how much polish both players need in decision-making and feel for the pace of play.
The Frontcourt Problem: It’s Real
With Queen out, the Pelicans are dangerously thin up front. Kevon Looney is a reliable rotation guy, but he’s not a long-term solution. Yves Missi isn’t ready to anchor a defense. Karlo Matkovic is still developing, and Hunter Dickinson is a two-way player at best.
So what are the options?
The free agent center market is nearly bone-dry. The remaining veterans, Tristan Thompson, DeAndre Jordan, and Taj Gibson, are well past their primes. Younger options like Thomas Bryant or Charles Bassey make more sense, especially considering the Pelicans have just $3.7 million of wiggle room under the tax line. If they want size, now’s the time to act.
Because Zion isn’t going to camp with this team to play the five full-time. And he shouldn’t have to.
Where It All Stands
The numbers from Vegas told a clear story:
- Fears ranked near the bottom of every major efficiency metric among Pelicans rookies since 2021
- The 2025 class (Fears and Queen) had an average ranking score of 105.5 — ahead of only Jordan Hawkins’ class
- More experienced players (Reeves, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones) consistently posted better early-career Summer League metrics
That doesn’t mean this class won’t work out. It’s going to take patience, something the Pelicans may not have if they’re trying to win now.
Final Thoughts
There’s talent here. You can see the outlines of what Fears and Queen might become. Reeves looks like a rotation piece. But the team’s direction remains hazy. The frontcourt is thin, the point guard room is crowded, and the roster still feels half-built for both the present and the future.
Summer League didn’t offer much clarity. Instead, it sent a message: the Pelicans have work to do.
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