James Borrego begs Derrick Quinn to play Nikola Jokic

The the beaten New Orleans Pelicans have a decision to make down part of what has been a chaotic, transitional season. Fortunately for fans looking for silverware, the interim head coach James Borrego he may have already turned his hand to the franchise. While wins are hard to come by, everyone in the Crescent City sees a bright future centered on unselfish play. It all starts with newcomer Derrick Quinn accepts the role it attracts comparisons with Nikola Jokic.

For most rookies, comparisons to the three-time MVP would amount to little more than preseason hype. It soon becomes the Queen’s job description. As the Pelicans close out a disappointing season, Borrego’s top priority is fully unleashing the rookie big man in the role Jokic made famous. The results suggest that the queen is ready to be the primary hub fouls, picking up the ball after rebounds and initiating everything in the half court.

“Queen has that naturally; he had that ability when he got into the NBA,” Borrego told ClutchPoints. “He has the ability to play, and really his strength makes others better. His ability to pass, see the floor, and do it on the full court. I think you mentioned Jokic. Well, we have a ways to go, but the problem is getting there on the full court.”

“Jokic can bring it with a jump, the same thing with Queen,” added Borrego. “He has the vision to kick the ball forward and find the open player. He does that in the half court as well. I can probably move him a little more in the half game, to cover up his playmaking ability.”

That versatility in the full and half court creates mismatches that defenses struggle to solve late in games.

Initiating offense from the high post or elbow, the queen can force rotations and open up driving lanes for teammates. It’s the same formula that brought Jokic multiple MVP awards. Borrego emphasized that Quinn’s impact extends beyond his own stat line. His willingness to share the ball has helped foster a team-wide culture of selflessness that is paying dividends.

“It’s just a spirit that seeps through our team when you have guys that are willing to share the ball, move the ball,” Borrego said. “The fears grow in that area with his decision-making. His ability to go downhill in transition in the half court, touch the paint, find layups and splash.”

The Pelicans are building that identity around multiple young pieces, but Queen seems to be the obvious center. With the All-Rookie voting deadline approaching, giving Quinn extended minutes as the primary initiator in both the transition and half-court sets would show why he belongs in the NBA Rookie of the Year conversation.

“We have two young guys, and I’m going to put Peavey in there. Peavey is another young man who gets it. He’s unselfish. He wants to go downhill and play for others,” Borrego explained. “We have a core of young, selfless players who try to make others better.”

Fears and Peas are good prospects. A defense that has to account for a 6-foot-10 center who can push the pace off the defensive rebound and find cutters in transition is a defense stretched in a way that most teams simply aren’t built to handle. Jokic tormented opponents with that very skill for the better part of a decade. Derrick Queen has the same instincts.

All the traditional and analytical numbers are staggering, almost unbelievable for a 21-year-old big man who will make it in the NBA. Quinn is averaging 12.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 48.4 percent from the field during the All-Star break. The Maryland alum became the first rookie center in league history to record a 30-point triple-double with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against the San Antonio Spurs.

Quinn reached 200 career assists faster than any center in 50 years. Yes, faster than Jokic. Comparisons to triple MVP are no longer just speculative. For a franchise that has endured injuries, roster changes and a coaching change, the emergence of that kind of selfless core is the most promising development in New Orleans in recent years. The Queen is not Jokic, not yet, and maybe not ever, but the archetype is real.

The instincts are there; the supporting cast accepts. With a few games left in his rookie season, now is the time for the Pelicans to let Quinn handle the keys of the offense and see how far that Jokic comparison can go.