The Philadelphia 76ers may not be gearing up for a blockbuster move ahead of the trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean they’re standing pat. With the team hitting a rough patch in recent games, the front office is reportedly exploring ways to shore up the roster around the edges-specifically, by adding depth in key spots.
One area that could use a little reinforcement? The center position.
Joel Embiid remains the anchor, of course, and both Andre Drummond and rookie Adem Bona have held their own in reserve roles. But for a team with championship aspirations, “good enough” isn’t always good enough. That’s why the Sixers have been linked, at least in theory, to New Orleans Pelicans big man Yves Missi-a high-upside, physical presence who’s reportedly available on the trade market.
Missi checks a lot of boxes for a team looking to bolster its frontcourt depth. He’s young, athletic, and brings a defensive edge that could fit nicely behind Embiid.
But here’s the catch: the asking price is steep. Too steep, in fact, for what the Sixers are likely looking to spend on a backup role.
According to league insider Jake Fischer, New Orleans has been actively gauging interest in Missi and has already drawn serious inquiries-most notably from the Indiana Pacers. One rumored framework even involves Indiana potentially offering up Bennedict Mathurin, a high-upside wing with starter potential, in exchange for Missi. That kind of proposal gives you a sense of how highly the Pelicans value their young big man.
For the Sixers, that valuation likely pushes Missi out of reach. To meet that kind of asking price, Philadelphia would have to part with a meaningful asset-possibly a young player with upside or a future first-round pick. And for a team that’s simply looking to reinforce the rotation behind Embiid, that kind of cost doesn’t make much sense.
Missi is the kind of player who could thrive in the right system-he brings energy, rim protection, and isn’t afraid to do the dirty work defensively. But he’s not the low-cost, plug-and-play option the Sixers are likely targeting. What they need is someone who can split minutes with Bona or Drummond, not someone who requires a premium trade package to acquire.
Unless the Pelicans lower their demands-or unless the Pacers bow out and the bidding cools down-Missi’s price tag will likely keep the Sixers on the sidelines. For now, it looks like Philadelphia’s deadline approach will be more about strategic tweaks than headline-making deals. And with Embiid playing at an MVP level, that might be all they need.