The 2025-26 season has been a weird one for New Orleans Pelicans second-year center Yves Missi. After making the All-Rookie Second Team last season, many fans expected this season to be a big one for Missi and a chance for him to stamp his spot as the center of the future. Missi started the season kind of on that path, as he was a big part of the Pelicans' rotation to start the season, but at different points after Willie Green was fired, Missi found himself falling in and out of the rotation.
With rumors swirling around the trade deadline that the 21-year-old was being shopped, many fans have been uncertain about what Missi's future in New Orleans looks like. However, Sunday night in the Pelicans' loss to the Orlando Magic, he made a statement that he has to be a long-term piece as they move into the offseason.
In the 112-108 loss, Missi played a season high 39 minutes and had 18 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and four blocks while shooting 88.9 percent from the field. Missi also got to the free-throw line four times, going 2-for-4.
For all of the nearly 40 minutes Missi played, he dominated, and neither Goga Bitadze nor Wendell Carter Jr. had an answer.
Yves Missi can be a key piece moving forward
Obviously, when you look around the landscape of the NBA, the Orlando Magic may be one of the weakest teams when it comes to the center spot. But that can't be used to discredit just how easy things looked for him last night. Even when he wasn't battling for a rebound or blocking a shot, his presence in the paint alone was enough to have the Magic think twice before attacking the basket.
Seeing Missi deliver this type of performance should be something Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver look at, and it should make them rethink their approach with him and his future.
At minimum, based on his athleticism, shot blocking instincts, and rebounding, Missi can be a long-time high-quality backup center. With teams like the Boston Celtics finding a ton of success with a win-by-committee approach at the center spot this season, it gives Missi even more value. That's the type of impact he could have on his floor. At his ceiling, the Pelicans are looking at a double-double machine who could compete for an All-Defensive team spot.
For a front office planning to build around Derik Queen, keeping Missi around would be beneficial. His skill set complements Queen's so well, and he is exactly the type of frontcourt mate that Dumars and Weaver should be searching for.
Sunday night was another strong piece of what has been a really great second half of the season for New Orleans’ young big man. In a season full of uncertainty, Missi is starting to prove he has to be part of the Pelicans' future, no matter what path they take.