Apr 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a replay that confirms he fouled Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the fourth quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

New Report On Lakers Targeting All-Rookie Center

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Will Despart | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 9:39 PM ET

The New Orleans Pelicans have already had an eventful offseason, landing Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey via trade while selecting two players in the lottery with Jeremiah Fears from Oklahoma and Derik Queen from Maryland. After missing the postseason last year, the Pelicans' biggest roadblock next season might just be injuries.

But the latest reporting from ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel indicates that the front office has been involved in some very surprising talks. This time, these reports aren't about Zion Williamson or Trey Murphy III.

REPORT: The Lakers called the Pelicans to inquire about trading their All-Rookie Second team center Yves Missi, per @BrettSiegelNBA pic.twitter.com/MwuulxNs26
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 2, 2025

According to Siegel , the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly shown interest in Pelicans' All-Rookie center Yves Missi, even calling the New Orleans front office about Missi's potential availability in a trade.

"Missi is a very intriguing name to emerge as a trade target for the Lakers," Siegel wrote. "The 21st-overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft may be more obtainable than many would imagine, especially after New Orleans flipped their front office around in the offseason, replacing David Griffin with Joe Dumars.

"Since Dumars took over, the Pelicans have been very aggressive in trade talks around the league, sources said. New Orleans has both fielded and made calls to teams to try and flip their roster around into one that can compete in the Western Conference immediately."

Latest intel story about the Lakers search for a new center, which links them to Nick Richards, Yves Missi, Robert Williams III, and others.

New on @ClutchPoints: https://t.co/xVMnaIl4a6
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) July 2, 2025

Missi averaged 9.1 points and 3.2 assists during his rookie season in New Orleans, in addition to ranking 18th in the NBA with an average of 8.1 rebounds per game. Missi earned Second Team All-Rookie honors for his performance.

The Cameroonian center recently announced that he'll be debuting for his home national team at the upcoming FIBA AfroBasket championships in August, which is Africa's continental basketball cup.

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This article first appeared on New Orleans Pelicans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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