The defending champion New York Knicks have made a significant but unsuccessful effort to acquire center Yves Missi from the New Orleans Pelicans. New York is actively trying to fill the backup center role after Mitchell Robinson departed in free agency to sign with the rival Boston Celtics.
The Knicks, fresh off their 2026 NBA title, are looking to fortify their roster but have been met with firm resistance from New Orleans. According to a report from NBA insider Chris Haynes, New York has “tried feverishly” to land the 22-year-old big man. Haynes stated: “Sources: New York Knicks have tried feverishly to trade for New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi after losing Mitchell Robinson, but offers have been rejected multiple times. Pelicans view Missi as a vital core figure and the message is that he’s unavailable.” This rejection underscores Missi’s value to the Pelicans and creates a problem for New York’s front office.
The pursuit of Missi highlights New York’s specific needs. After Robinson signed a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Celtics, the Knicks were left without their primary backup for Karl-Anthony Towns. Missi represents a similar skillset—rim protection and rebounding—on a far more team-friendly rookie-scale contract. His affordable salary is critical for a Knicks team operating near the NBA’s restrictive second luxury tax apron. Missi averaged 7.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across his first two professional seasons, proving to be an effective interior presence.
New Orleans’ firm stance forces the Knicks to explore other options. Losing Robinson created a significant gap in their rotation, and failing to acquire a primary target like Missi puts pressure on the front office to find an alternative. For the Pelicans, retaining the young center signals a clear commitment to their core group. The Knicks must now pivot to ensure their championship-winning lineup, led by Jalen Brunson, has the necessary frontcourt depth to defend its title.
