As a young player navigating the early stages of his NBA career, Yves Missi is doing more than just studying film; he’s drawing from a lineage of international success. While the trade winds swirl around him in New Orleans, Missi remains grounded by the examples set by those who blazed the trail from Cameroon to the bright lights of the American stage.
One of those guiding lights is Pascal Siakam, the Indiana Pacers star whose journey from Douala to an NBA Champion has become a blueprint for Missi.
“I first met Pascal in 2019 at a basketball camp in Cameroon,” Missi tells ScoopB.com.
“I also saw him recently when we played against him.”
Siakam’s rise from being relatively unknown to becoming an NBA champion is a testament to the hard work, perseverance, and adaptation Missi strives for. For a fellow Cameroonian, seeing Siakam carve out such a significant legacy provides both inspiration and a sense of camaraderie within the global basketball community.
The Missi Paradox: High Value, Low Minutes
Despite that international inspiration, Missi’s current situation in New Orleans is complicated. Just a year ago, he looked like the undisputed future of the Pelicans’ frontcourt. After a stellar rookie campaign where he started 67 games and established himself as a premier rim protector, his trajectory seemed set.
However, the 2025-26 season has introduced a “good problem” for New Orleans: the emergence of rookie big man Derik Queen. Queen’s rapid development has squeezed Missi’s role, dropping his playing time from nearly 27 minutes a night to under 19. Reports from insiders like ClutchPoints suggest that Missi’s camp has felt “disrespected” by this diminished role, effectively putting a “For Sale” sign on one of the league’s most promising young defensive anchors.
Inspiration Beyond the Paint
While Missi has certainly been inspired by the big men of the league, he also spent time watching some of the most iconic guards and forwards to ever play the game. Two of the biggest stars he watched growing up were Steph Curry and LeBron James—players whose competitive fire and unique skill sets fueled his passion for the game.
“Steph Curry, I watched a lot of Steph Curry against LeBron James when I was younger,” he says. “Those two made me want to play basketball and just seeing them in the Finals and that competitive nature.”
When asked about a player that reminds him of teammate Zion Williamson, Missi wasn’t quick to make comparisons—he recognizes that Zion is one of a kind. “He just reminds me of himself,” Missi says, acknowledging the uniqueness of Williamson’s game.
“I haven’t seen any one player like him exactly,” Missi continues. “He’s super explosive for a person his size and then he’s hard to stop when he goes to the rim.”
Zion’s power, speed, and explosiveness make him a force unlike any other in the league. Missi’s recognition of this underscores his deep understanding of the game’s nuances; he respects the raw talent that makes certain players impossible to replicate.
The “Sweetener” Strategy: Morant to NOLA?
The most intriguing speculation involves the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant. While heavyweights like Marc Stein have thrown cold water on the idea of active discussions, the logic for a deal is becoming harder to ignore.
The Grizzlies are reportedly seeking at least one future first-round pick in any Morant package—a steep price for a Pelicans team that has already offloaded significant draft capital. This is where Missi comes in. If New Orleans wants to land a transformational talent like Morant without mortgaging their entire draft future, Missi is their strongest bargaining chip. Here is why he might be the “sweetener” Memphis actually wants:
- Immediate Impact vs. Future Potential: A draft pick is a gamble; Missi is a proven NBA-caliber rim runner.
- The Grizzlies’ Interior Need: Memphis has long searched for a long-term partner for Jaren Jackson Jr. who can handle the physical “five” duties, allowing JJJ to roam as a help-side eraser. Missi fits that archetype perfectly.
- Salary Matching: At just 21 years old and on a team-friendly rookie scale contract, Missi allows the Pelicans to balance the massive incoming salary of a superstar like Morant while sending out a high-value asset.
The Landscape: Other Potential Suitors
If the Pelicans decide not to go the “superstar hunt” route, Missi’s value remains high across the league:
| Potential Destination | The “Target” | The Logic |
| Indiana Pacers | Bennedict Mathurin | NOLA needs perimeter scoring; Indiana needs a defensive anchor. |
| Chicago Bulls | Coby White | A deal that might involve taking on Jordan Poole’s contract to “buy” Missi. |
| New York Knicks | Bench Depth | The Knicks are reportedly “enamored” with Missi’s defensive upside behind KAT. |
The Verdict: A Move is Coming
The consensus among league insiders is that the Pelicans are “active” and “listening.” With the team currently sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference, a standing-pat approach seems unlikely.
Whether Yves Missi is used to facilitate a landscape-shifting move for Ja Morant or is traded for a high-scoring wing to balance the roster, his time in the Big Easy appears to be nearing its end. In the high-stakes game of NBA trade poker, Missi is the Ace the Pelicans are ready to play.
