One of the clearest messages about the New Orleans Pelicans as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches is the front office’s desire to trade second-year big man Yves Missi.
So far, the two teams mentioned by multiple sources as potential landing spots for Missi were the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers. However, in ClutchPoints’ NBA insider Brett Siegels most recent reportthe Raptors have emerged as a potential third suitor for the former second-team All-Rookie member.
Siegel said that with the Raptors looking to strengthen their frontcourt while falling under the luxury tax, Missi could be an ideal solution for Toronto. With the Raptors struggling mightily on the glass and ranking in the bottom 10 in rebounds per game, Missi could be a solution to that problem. According to NBA.com, Missi ranks fifth among players who have played 30 or more games this season in offensive rebound rate.
With the Raptors in desperate need of rim protection, the Pelicans can offer them a logical option in Missi, but at a price.
Why this trade could be a win-win
In addition to Siegel’s report, another report was published on the expected return for Missi. As NBA insider Jake Fischer reported, New Orleans is hoping to land a first-round pick for their second-year center. Obviously, the whole point of getting a first pick is to compensate for the fact that the Pels are without their own, thanks to the late-night trade with Atlanta to acquire Derik Queen.
So, with Toronto currently the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and a projected 19th overall ranking, could they see the value in giving up their choice for frontcourt help? I don’t see why not.
It’s not like Missi is just a rental company that might stay there for a season and then leave. He has two years left on his contract after this season and has shown great potential to develop into an elite rim-protecting lob threat. Not to mention, he already has a big impact on winning, as he leads the Pelicans in net rating.
You won’t notice Missi’s averages of 5.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game; he provides the kind of production the Raptors need to round out their roster. Things are really clicking for Toronto now as they have won four of their last five games. The only weak point is the center spot, which Missi can change.
With the Eastern Conference supposedly wide open, the Raptors could be ready to go all-in for a deep playoff run. While other teams can offer nice young talent, the Pelicans are clearly prioritizing draft picks over everything else at the moment. That makes Toronto a near-perfect partner in a potential Yves Missi deal ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
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