As the NBA trade deadline looms on February 5, the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves at a crossroads with second-year center Yves Missi - and teams around the league are paying attention. With a team-friendly contract and flashes of upside, Missi has quietly become a name to watch for franchises looking to shore up their frontcourt depth.
Two teams reportedly keeping close tabs: the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls. Both are exploring ways to bolster their big-man rotations, and Missi’s situation in New Orleans may offer the right opportunity at the right time.
Missi’s Role Shrinks, But His Value Remains
Missi’s reduced role this season isn’t about a drop-off in performance - it’s more about the Pelicans’ evolving priorities. After logging nearly 27 minutes a night as a rookie and contributing 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, his minutes have dipped to 18.2 per game through 35 appearances this season. He’s still producing efficiently when called upon, averaging 5.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 55% from the field.
The shift is largely tied to the Pelicans’ growing commitment to rookie big man Derik Queen. New Orleans made a bold move to acquire Queen by trading away control of its 2026 first-round pick - a pick that could land in the top three. That decision speaks volumes about how highly executive Joe Dumars and the front office regard Queen’s potential.
And so far, Queen has delivered. He’s averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists over 42 games, playing 26 minutes per night.
His ability to score, rebound, and facilitate has fast-tracked his development and carved out a significant role in the Pelicans’ rotation. That emergence has naturally squeezed Missi’s minutes, not because of anything he’s done wrong, but because Queen has simply earned more time.
It’s a classic case of a player becoming a victim of the numbers game - and other teams are sensing an opportunity.
Bulls Exploring Frontcourt Options
Chicago’s interest in Missi lines up with a longer-term need. The Bulls have been actively searching for young, cost-controlled help at the center position, and Missi fits that mold. The timing also aligns with growing uncertainty around veteran big man Nikola Vučević.
Vučević, now in the final year of his three-year, $60 million deal, is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer at age 35. While there’s no question he’s still producing - averaging 16.9 points, 9.2 boards, and 3.7 assists while shooting over 50% from the floor and nearly 38% from deep - the Bulls are clearly weighing their options. If they decide to move on from Vučević or reduce his role moving forward, someone like Missi could be a developmental piece worth investing in.
Adding a young center with upside would give the Bulls flexibility - both in terms of roster construction and salary cap outlook - as they navigate the next phase of their rebuild.
Pacers’ Interest Tied to Bigger Picture
Indiana’s interest in Missi is part of a larger conversation that includes guard Bennedict Mathurin. The Pacers have reportedly been gauging the market for Mathurin, who is in the final year of his rookie-scale deal and headed toward restricted free agency this summer.
That’s where New Orleans potentially comes in. The Pelicans have been linked to Mathurin, viewing him as a dynamic scoring wing who could complement their core with his ability to attack off the dribble and knock down shots from the perimeter.
If a deal were to materialize, Missi could be part of a broader exchange that helps Indiana address its need for a starting-caliber center, while giving New Orleans another offensive weapon on the wing.
What’s Next?
With the trade deadline less than three weeks away, Missi’s name is one to keep an eye on. He’s still just 22 years old, has shown he can contribute in meaningful minutes, and carries a team-friendly contract - all traits that make him an appealing target for teams like the Bulls and Pacers.
Whether or not a deal gets done, Missi’s situation in New Orleans is a reminder of how quickly things can change in the NBA. Sometimes it’s not about talent or effort - it’s about timing, opportunity, and fit. And right now, there’s a growing sense that Missi might find a better fit elsewhere.