The Los Angeles Lakers have two roster weaknesses to address; one of the two is a back up center for the newly-acquired Walker Kessler. (Because it wouldn’t be wise to have no one behind Kessler, who appeared in just five games last season!)
Kessler is no doubt on the rise and is a legitimate starter, but the Lakers do not have a particularly convincing answer behind him, even after adding three-time NBA champion Kevon Looney to the mix. If the Lakers want to build a roster that can survive the postseason, adding another young, athletic big man would make plenty of sense.
One potential target is New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi.
The 6-foot-11 big man is only 22 years old and already has 139 NBA games under his belt. He has flashed enough as a defender and interior finisher to make him a player worth looking at for the center-needy Lakers.
Here’s a simple trade framework that could bring him to Los Angeles.
Lakers receive: Yves Missi
Pelicans receive: Dalton Knecht and a 2031 second round pick
Why Yves Missi Makes Sense for the Lakers
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 01: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks drives to the net against Yves Missi #21 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Madison Square Garden on December 01, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Missi is a former No. 21 overall pick who has already shown flashes of stardom in the NBA. He only has two seasons under his belt, making him an interesting option for the Lakers.
Missi averaged 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 blocks in 66 games for New Orleans last season, although his role was significantly smaller than it was as a rookie. He played 19.7 minutes per game and shot 54.4 percent from the field.
His 1.5 blocks per game last season are particularly eye-catching, as the Lakers could use all the reliable rim protection they can find. As a sophomore Missi blocked 101 shots in 66 games, despite averaging fewer than 20 minutes per night.
Yes, the dropoff from his rookie season is absolutely worth a pause. As a rook, Missi started 67 of his 73 games and averaged 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game. But in a back up role, Missi could be exactly what the Lakers are searching for. Plus, adding youth with enormous potential is never a bad thing.
Why the Pelicans Could Consider It
Considering how resistant the Pelicans have been in trading their players in recent years, it is absolutely fair to question whether they would trade their potent 22-year-old big man to a conference rival. But receiving Knecht could intrigue New Orleans just enough.
The No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Knecht would give New Orleans another movement shooter on the wing and someone they can develop into the star he was expected to turn into. Things just haven’t panned out for Knecht under the bright L.A. lights. Maybe New Orleans would be different for the 25-year-old.
For the Pelicans, who have the rising Derik Queen firmly planted as their big man of the future, the bigger question is whether Missi remains part of the team’s long-term plans.
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