Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently reported that the Los Angeles Lakers were one of several teams that expressed interest in New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline. The timing of Scotto's report certainly makes one question if said interest could be renewed with the Lakers still needing answers at the center position.
Though the Lakers hypothetically trading for Missi would certainly offer reason for intrigue, it wouldn't change the fact that Los Angeles still needs a starting-caliber center.
Missi is a talented shot-blocker and offensive rebounder who could check two essential boxes for Los Angeles in 2026-27 and beyond. What he isn't, however, is a proven commodity from the perspective of playing big minutes on a winning team.
Harsh as that may seem, that's the black-and-white point of view the Lakers must operate from if they're hoping to build a championship-caliber team.
Missi averaged 19.7 minutes per game for the Pelicans in 2025-26, and while fit is essential, there was clear room for improvement. He's still fairly unrefined on the offensive end of the floor and isn't exactly the most inspiring defensive rebounder at this stage.
The time may ultimately come when Missi surpasses whomever the Lakers bring in as the projected starter, but expecting that to transpire based on upside alone would be a fool's errand.
Lakers' Yves Missi interest would add depth, but they'd still need a starter
Missi's 2025-26 season averages translated to 10.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 5.1 offensive boards, 2.3 assists, and 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes. If he can provide that type of production to the Lakers in 2026-27, then there would be an easy path to chart to a prominent role in the rotation.
Compounded by the potential for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to help Missi develop into a top-tier pick-and-roll target, Los Angeles' interest is easy to understand.
Upside isn't enough for a team that has immediate dreams of contending, however, and Missi hasn't yet established that he can be a high-volume player. Perhaps they could have him back up Deandre Ayton if the veteran accepts his player option, but concerns over inconsistency would persist.
Instead, the Lakers should be looking for a proven starter with known value who can step in and immediately provide postseason-caliber minutes. At the very least, they should be building a rotation of quality bigs.
If Missi ultimately outplays the veteran, then Los Angeles would have a good problem on its hands. They could either move the veteran to the second unit or look to trade a player who would likely still have market value. In either scenario, the future at center would still be decided.
If the Lakers value nothing but untapped potential with the aspiration to contend in 2026-27, however, then their odds of competing with the best teams in the NBA will instantly diminish.
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