With the trade deadline looming and the New Orleans Pelicans sitting at the bottom of the standings, you'd expect the front office to be in full sell mode. But instead of a fire sale, the Pelicans are holding their cards close-especially when it comes to Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Jeremiah Fears, and Derik Queen.
Those five are reportedly off-limits in any trade talks. However, there's one name quietly drawing interest: second-year center Yves Missi.
Missi’s name has started to circulate around the league, and it’s no coincidence. Over the past month, the 21-year-old big man has seen a noticeable uptick in minutes and production.
After averaging just 13.5 minutes per game in December, Missi is up to 21.7 minutes a night in January. And he’s not just eating up minutes-he’s making them count.
Call it a showcase if you want, but interim head coach James Borrego has made one thing clear: Missi is earning these opportunities. His growth has been most apparent in the mental side of the game, where his effort and awareness have taken a real leap forward.
“The things I'm seeing, number one, higher energy level,” Borrego said recently. “Obviously (Missi) has always had a good motor, but I think he's got a great motor right now.
So just playing harder, that's number one. He is making more plays defensively-chasing down blocks, going after rebounds, having an impact at the rim.
There's just more presence to him right now than we saw in that first year.”
That presence is showing up in the box score and on film. Missi has become a much more consistent rim protector, and his timing has improved dramatically.
He’s not just reacting-he’s reading the game. And that’s a big deal for a young center trying to establish himself in the NBA.
“Just be aggressive on defense and offense is the main thing,” Missi said. “Try and do the stuff I've been working on.”
Simple mindset, big results. Missi’s been more decisive on both ends, especially defensively.
He’s starting to understand when to go up for a block, when to stay grounded, and how to read the flow of the offense in front of him. That kind of growth doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s happening now-and it’s catching the attention of people around the league.
“(Noticed) the most on defense for sure, just the blocked shots, and reading the game a little more,” Missi explained. “Reading the hub defense.
Knowing when to jump, knowing when to be the second jumper, and being able to read the defense. Same thing on offense.
Knowing everyone's tendencies on offense screen-wise, moving-wise.”
Borrego has also pointed to real strides in Missi’s offensive fundamentals. Screening, in particular, has improved-his angles are sharper, he’s creating more space, and his hands are getting more reliable in traffic.
“(Missi) screening has gotten better, offensively,” Borrego said. “He has definitely become a better screener.
His angles, pressure on the rim, his hands are getting better. That's an area of growth and improvement for him.”
There’s still work to be done, especially when it comes to decision-making with the ball. But even there, Borrego sees encouraging signs.
“When the ball is in (Missi's) hands, making a play either at the rim or the second side, that part has slowed down. We are still working on it,” Borrego said. “We are not refined there, but overall it's just making plays at both ends of the floor.”
One area where there’s no hesitation? Protecting the rim-goaltending risk be damned.
“We need Yves to go make those plays at the rim, whether it's a goaltend or not,” Borrego said with a laugh. “(Missi) has got to have that presence for us.”
It helps that Missi has had a veteran voice in his ear. DeAndre Jordan, known for his shot-blocking instincts and defensive presence, has been a valuable mentor.
“I think (DeAndre Jordan) has helped (Missi), defensively especially,” Borrego noted. “Chasing down blocks, having presence down there, timing, and then probably the shots that you do go after.
You can be undisciplined and go after everything, get nothing and give up the rebound. We're trying to find that balance.
Be aggressive, chase down the ones that you feel like you can impact, and then stay home on the others so you can rebound.”
Through all the shifting roles-from occasional starter to bench contributor-Missi has stayed level-headed. His approach? Keep it simple, keep it steady.
“It's different but it's basketball, let's be honest,” Missi said. “You're still getting to play.
Play hard. Just give everything you have on the court and (try to) contribute to the win.”
That mindset is serving him well, especially as he continues to learn the nuances of NBA frontcourt play. Each game brings more familiarity with opposing bigs, more recognition of tendencies, and more confidence in his own reads.
“The more you play against a guy, the more you know what they are going to do and how they are going to move on the court,” Missi said. “So you can kind of read and know the move they are going to do.
It's just the scouting report and being prepared for guys… It helps to just play against them and to know their tendencies. I know the starting points for most of the teams because I know the guys.
It's definitely helpful.”
That kind of growth, both mental and physical, is why the Pelicans are listening to offers but not rushing to move him. Missi’s development has elevated his value-not just as a trade chip, but potentially as a long-term piece in New Orleans.
Whether he’s ultimately dealt or stays put, Missi’s recent surge is forcing the Pelicans to weigh their options carefully. He’s no longer just a raw project; he’s a young big showing real signs of becoming a reliable contributor. And in a league that’s always looking for size, mobility, and rim protection, that’s the kind of player who doesn’t stay under the radar for long.