Pushing the Agenda: Why James Barlowe Believes Derik Queen Can Be the Next Alperen Şengün

On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe is joined by James Barlowe, who’s got an agenda to push: Derik Queen can be as good as Alperen Şengün. With Şengün earning his first All-Star nod in 2025 and leading the Houston Rockets to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, James believes Queen shares a similar offensive profile and playmaking IQ. The duo dives into a detailed comparison of Queen and Şengün’s pre-draft scouting notes, exploring how both were doubted for their defense but praised for their touch, feel, and interior craft. James lays out the blueprint for Queen’s NBA success, argues why the defense won’t be a death sentence if the roster is built right, and highlights how Şengün’s strong playoff debut — where he hasn’t been played off the floor like many feared — reinforces that belief. Plus, James closes the episode by naming his ideal landing spot for Derik Queen.2:00 – James's agenda: Why he believes Derik Queen can be as good as Alperen Şengün4:29 – Breaking down the concerns with Derik Queen’s game10:25 – The Derik Queen and Alperen Şengün comparison11:22 – Revisiting Alperen Şengün’s pre-draft scouting report14:43 – Full breakdown of Derik Queen’s scouting profile20:33 – Şengün’s playoff debut and how he's holding up defensively26:10 – The blueprint for how to build around Derik Queen28:00 – James’s pick for the best fit for Derik Queen in the 2025 NBA Draft#DerikQueen #AlperenŞengün #NBAProspects #NBADraft2025 #DraftTalk #NBAComparisons #BigBoard #LockedOnNBA #NBAFutureStars #NBAScouting #BasketballBreakdown #NBADraftAnalysis #Şengün #DerikQueenScouting #DraftDayDebate #NBAOffense #NBAPlayoffs #HoustonRockets #DraftBlueprint #BasketballIQ #DraftSleeper #CenterComparison #NBAHotTakes #NBADraftPodcast #BasketballAgenda #NBAComparisonContent #PlaymakingBigs #NBAProspectWatch #RafaelBarlowe #JamesBarlowe #PushingTheAgenda Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.