All offseason, Joe Dumars and the New Orleans Pelicans front office have been pointing to the fact that second-year big man Yves Missi could potentially be on the move.
Missi made the NBA's All-Rookie second team after posting averages of 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game last season. However, despite coming off an impressive 1st season, Dumars traded up to draft Derik Queen in the lottery and also signed Kevon Looney to a two-year deal in free agency.
Missi had the chance to prove Dumars wrong and establish his spot on the team during summer league, but failed. He struggled immensely during his time in Vegas, shooting below 30% from the field.
With speculation mounting about Dumars' lack of loyalty to Missi, many outlets believe the former Baylor Bear could have a new home as soon as the 2026 trade deadline. In a recent article published by Jeremy Brener of the New York Knicks on SI, Missi was named as a potential trade target for the reigning Eastern Conference runners-up.
This not only piqued my interest because of the return New Orleans was getting for Missi, but also because the 21-year-old would make a ton of sense long term for the Knicks.
The trade proposal sees Missi go to New York in exchange for Mitchell Robinson and a 2026 first-round pick.
If Joe Dumars got this offer, he should jump on it
Now, to many of you, the trade proposal may sound like an egregious overpay by the Knicks, which was my thought at first, too. But when you think about it, with Robinson set to expire and New York already paying four guys $35+ million a season, they likely won't be able to extend Robinson.
Trading for Missi would hold more value as they add a big with similar potential to Robinson, who is on a much friendlier rookie-scale contract. Having players that can contribute to winning at a high level on rookie-scale deals has grown increasingly more valuable to contenders because of the second apron.
The trade makes just as much sense for New York as it does for New Orleans. The Pelicans have been looking for an elite rim protector for years now, and Robinson is that. With a career average of 1.8 blocks per game, he would help take the Pelicans' defense to new heights.
I understand he has injury history, playing in just 48 regular-season games over the past two seasons. However, the Pelicans' depth at center in Kevon Looney and Derik Queen would allow Robinson to remain well rested and ready for the playoffs.
We rarely see win-win trades happen in the NBA anymore, and if this deal occurred today, the media would tell you the Pelicans won this deal because they are the better player and a first-round pick. That being said, in the long term, this deal would benefit the Knicks just as much as it does the Pelicans, as with Missi, New York would be able to extend their Championship window.