The Knicks are still hunting for a better backup center, and the Pelicans may be the team that eventually gives them a path.
New York has already taken a swing at Yves Missi and been turned away, but the situation in New Orleans looks a little less rigid than it did before. The Pelicans finished last season 26-56 and had not made any outside free-agent additions, yet now there are signs they may be more willing to talk. According to insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, New Orleans is exploring trades involving bench player Jordan Hawkins in search of "roster and financial flexibility."
That does not mean the Pelicans are suddenly tearing everything down. A move involving a third-string guard or wing is not the same thing as putting a center on the market, and Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor reported this week that the Pelicans "hope to compete" this year and are turning away teams interested in Trey Murphy. Still, the fact that New Orleans is even entertaining one trade is enough to catch the Knicks’ attention.
For New York, the opening matters because the Pelicans have two centers who fit the kind of conversation the Knicks want to have: Missi and Karlo Matković. Missi was pushed into a smaller role in 2025-26 after handling more responsibility as a rookie, while Matković remains more of a projection than a proven NBA rotation piece. With Derik Queen getting featured and DeAndre Jordan re-signed to a two-year deal this offseason, both bigs appear to be sliding further down the pecking order.
That makes them logical trade candidates, especially for a team that could use future draft capital or a player it can later flip for more value. The Pelicans may not view either center as essential, and that is where the Knicks’ chance comes in.
New York does not have a pile of unprotected first-round picks to work with, but Leon Rose did add four future seconds in the draft, and those could help build a package. Miles McBride is another name to watch. He is on an expiring deal, his $4 million salary lines up neatly for a big man still on a rookie contract, and his scoring and defense off the bench would make him appealing to other teams if New Orleans wanted to reroute him for picks or another player.
There is also a reason the Pelicans were so firm when New York first asked about Missi. They are coming off a title, and no team wants to be the one that helps the reigning champs solve the one obvious hole in their roster. Ex-Pelican Jose Alvarado, who was dealt at the deadline, also played a role in New York lifting the trophy, so there may be some lingering frustration over that decision.
Even so, Joe Dumars appears to be testing the trade market again after the Alvarado move, and that alone gives the Knicks some hope. Matković could be available if the price is right, and Missi might not be completely off-limits forever.
New York could also wait and see whether New Orleans softens further. There are real doubts the Pelicans will win more than 30 games next season, which would put them in seller territory by the deadline and could finally make Missi available. If that happens, the Knicks may have to settle for a temporary solution now and circle back later on the center they clearly want.
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