After an outstanding freshman season with the Maryland Terrapins, forward Derik Queen has his sights set on the 2025 NBA Draft.
Having established himself as a projected lottery pick, which teams in that range would best maximize his potential?
What Makes Derik Queen a Top 2025 NBA Draft Prospect?
Queen isn’t a typical 6’10”, 246-pound bruiser down low. While he can bury defenders under the basket, he’s more than comfortable playing on the perimeter and creating for himself off the dribble, aided by his deceptively quick first step.
As a true freshman on a team that made it to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament, Queen averaged a team-leading 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 52.6% from the field. Though he was only a 20% shooter from three-point range on one attempt per game, his free-throw percentage (76.6%) and three triples in the tournament inspire belief that he could improve that aspect of his game.
As a nontraditional supersized forward, will any organization have a plan for how to deploy him into their scheme? Which teams would be best suited to do so?
Portland Trail Blazers
Queen excelled at Maryland, where fellow forward Julian Reese occupied a center role, allowing him to do what he does best on the perimeter. The Blazers, holding the 11th pick, drafted 7’2″ center Donovan Clingan in last year’s draft. Playing Queen next to him would alleviate rim-protecting concerns, as the former Terrapin faces questions in that area.
Offensively, it would be imperative for Queen to develop a viable jump shot, whether from deep or in the mid-range. If he manages to do so, Portland would have its frontcourt for the future in back-to-back drafts.
In rebuild mode, head coach Chauncey Billups would likely give Queen the requisite amount of touches to grow as a ball-handler and see how his game translates to the pros without throwing him too far into the fire.
Chicago Bulls
One spot below the Blazers at No. 12, the Bulls need an infusion of young, talented players in their frontcourt rotations. Center Nikola Vucevic has occupied that spot for years and could fit next to Queen in some situations, but with the end goal of the 20-year-old replacing him.
Josh Giddey is already an unorthodox player at the point guard position, making the thought of Queen also playing with the ball on the perimeter a question mark.
But Chicago isn’t positioned to question fit at this point; they should be piling up as much talent as possible, and Queen has just that.
Washington Wizards
Another team with a center for the future in 2204 No. 2 pick Alex Sarr, Queen could play right away and grow next to the French big man as the hopeful frontcourt for the future.
In a total rebuild, Washington was disappointed in landing the No. 6 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, but if they come away with a player like Queen, they can’t be too sad. He has all the tools — athleticism, feel for the game, and creativity — that can thrive in the new age of the NBA.
It may seem too early for his projected range, but all it takes is the Wizards to believe in the former Maryland forward to take him here.
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn isn’t in a position to question fit either, as they should be stockpiling as much talent as they can and seeing what sticks.
Queen playing alongside Nets center Nic Claxton would be ideal, as Claxton is the type of shot blocker that could let the future rookie play on the perimeter and discover what works and what doesn’t.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez showed in his debut season that he can get the best out of his players; it’s not unforeseeable for Queen to land in Brooklyn, as they occupy the eighth pick.
San Antonio Spurs
Imagining the creativity of Queen’s game next to superstar 7’5″ center Victor Wembanyama is exciting. If the former Terrapin is still on the board at No. 14, the pick San Antonio received via the Atlanta Hawks, it should be a no-brainer to make him a Spur.
Though Wembanyama likes to play on the perimeter as well, due to their respective lengths and heft, both he and Queen can play down low when needed.
Competitive yet still in their team-building phase, San Antonio’s decision-makers would be foolish to pass on a talent of Queen’s ilk if he’s there to pick.
Dark Horse Destinations That Could Surprise on Draft Night
It’s pretty straightforward regarding what Queen’s range is, but if there’s one destination within the top three that is very intriguing, it’s the Philadelphia 76ers. Playing beside MVP center Joel Embiid and All-Star forward Paul George would be ideal for Queen, who could learn on the job while not being asked to do too much.
KEEP READING: Projected Top 10 NBA Draft Pick Maryland’s Derik Queen Identifies 4 Future Hall of Famers He Is Studying To Level Up
Keep an eye out for Oklahoma City, which has developed a unicorn in Chet Holmgren but could also look to add another unicorn in Queen, who is much stronger and could aid in guarding bigger players. The Thunder have several high draft picks in the coming years and could easily move up if they decide to pull the trigger.
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