Yves

Missi

Missi may not have much competition for minutes at center as a rookie, but he has been a bit disappointing this summer. The shot blocking has been solid, but he has a total of 19 rebounds through four games. He played 30 minutes in this game after averaging 19.0 minutes per game through the first three. The opportunity should be enough to warrant a draft pick in standard leagues, though his production this summer shouldn’t give fantasy managers much confidence.

The Pelicans began Sunday with two centers on standard contracts for next season (Missi and Daniel Theis), and they now have three. Karlo Matkovic’s signing was reported during Sunday’s game, giving the Pelicans three bigs to work with at this point in the offseason. Missi’s activity as a rebounder and defender is why he was selected 21st overall in last month’s draft, and he should be given every opportunity to win the starting job. If the rookie can do that, he’ll be a must-draft player in most leagues.

New Orleans lost Jonas Valanciunas in free agency and traded Larry Nance Jr. to the Hawks as part of the Dejounte Murray deal, so Theis will provide some much-needed center depth. Rookie Yves Missi should still be viewed as the team’s starter, and Missi will be the preferred fantasy option unless we hear otherwise before the 2024-25 campaign tips off.

It’s a bit of a surprising move for both sides as Valanciunas opts to sign with a rebuilding team, and Washington adds another center to a frontcourt that includes Richaun Holmes and Marvin Bagley III and just drafted Alex Sarr with the No. 2 pick in the draft. Valanciunas’ minutes were cut in his last season with New Orleans, and his production suffered because of it. It’s unclear what kind of role he’ll have in Washington, but all of the abovementioned players likely get a ding in fantasy value. New Orleans lost Larry Nance Jr. to the Hawks in the Dejounte Murray trade, so the Pelicans may be forced to give big minutes to rookie center Yves Missi right away.

Nance has been a versatile big man throughout his career, and he will likely be a reserve for the Hawks. Clint Capela was already expected to be moved, and now it feels like a guarantee. That means that Onyeka Okongwu should become a full-time starter, with Nance filling out behind him. Yves Missi is now the only center option in New Orleans and could become one of the best fantasy rookies if they don’t re-sign Jonas Valanciunas.

Missi is a prototypical rim-running center, which means that he may be able to contribute earlier on than other prospects in this class. The 20-year-old 7-footer played 34 games during his freshman season at Baylor and averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 6.4% from the floor across 23 minutes per game. His rebounding was underwhelming for a tall, athletic center, but he should be a threat in pick and rolls from day one. On the defensive end, his bread and butter will be as a shot blocker, but he also moves well enough to switch onto smaller players if needed, which is needed in today’s NBA. According to Shams Charania, “Pelicans were zeroed in on the 7-footer from Baylor and fill a center need.” The selection makes sense considering Jonas Valanciunas is expected to leave in free agency, and the center depth behind him is quite shallow.