There’s no debating that the New Orleans Pelicans have had a quiet 2026 offseason, with Joe Dumars's sole move in free agency being re-signing DeAndre Jordan.Â
Coming into the offseason, the expectation most fans had coming off a 26-win season was that New Orleans would be shaking things up one way or another. That hasn’t happened, as it appears Dumars and Troy Weaver are banking on internal growth as a key to the Pelicans making their way back to winning basketball in 2026-27.
If there was one area of this roster that almost every fan agreed needed an upgrade heading into the offseason, it was the starting center spot. And while the idea of adding a floor spacing five or veteran presence to the frontcourt was thrown around, it appears Dumars is banking on a year-three breakout from Yves Missi.
Missi had a solid second season in the NBA. While his stats dipped from his All-Rookie Team campaign, his impact was on a different level. The issue is that what made Missi such an effective option was that he primarily came off the bench and had a very minimal role as a backup energy big. For him to go from that role to being the starter on a team that is striving to win games is putting a ton of pressure on him and a massive gamble by the front office.
The Pelicans are betting big on Yves Missi
The 21-year-old finished second on the team in net rating among players who played 50 or more games, behind only Herb Jones. This wouldn’t be a shocker to anyone who watched most of the Pelicans' games, as every time Missi was on the court, the Pelicans’ energy and rim protection got a massive boost. Whether it was blocking shots or finishing lobs when the team needed a boost off the bench, interim head coach James Borrego knew to turn to Missi.Â
That same impact is going to be hard for Missi to have if he’s tasked with being the full-time starter in the frontcourt alongside Zion Williamson.Â
At this point, he is still an incredibly raw young talent who needs a ton of polishing in the game. Sure, he has the ideal size and athleticism of a modern NBA center, but his basketball IQ, screen-setting ability, offensive touch, and defensive awareness are all okay at best. I understand it’s the offseason, and Missi could be working on all those things as I type this, but that’s a ton to ask of him and could mess with his development.
It would be one thing if the Pelicans approached this summer with the same plan they did last offseason, bringing Kevon Looney to split starting center reps with Missi, but they didn’t. Options are more limited than ever for New Orleans at the five. Obviously, they could go with Derik Queen at the five, and that wouldn’t shock me, but we also all know how horrible defensively he and Zion are as a frontcourt.Â
Long term, Missi could 100 percent be this team's starting center. However, putting that pressure on him next season is a serious risk and one that could backfire immediately for Joe Dumars and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Add us as a preferred source on Google