Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
The expectation around the league is that the Los Angeles Lakers will operate as buyers as the February 5 trade deadline draws closer.
Even with a limited pool of movable assets, multiple reports suggest general manager Rob Pelinka remains active, with a clear focus on adding a young, dependable two-way wing. That search, however, appears to have widened.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, Los Angeles has also begun canvassing the market for frontcourt help, with rim protection emerging as a secondary priority.
Lakers Exploring Cost-Effective Frontcourt Options
As reported by Forbes’ Evan Sidery, one name the Lakers have recently explored is Yves Missi of the New Orleans Pelicans, with several other teams also registering interest.
“Yves Missi is generating significant interest on the trade market once the Pelicans were open to fielding offers,” Sidery reported. “The Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Pacers, Raptors, and Warriors are among the teams who recently inquired on Missi.”
The 21-year-old represents an intriguing fit for Los Angeles. The Lakers have struggled all season to control the paint, ranking near the bottom of the league in rebounding and interior defensive metrics. Missi’s size, activity level, and rim presence directly address those shortcomings.
After earning All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2024-25 while averaging 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, his production has dipped in his sophomore campaign.
Through 38 games this season, Missi is posting 5.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, largely due to a fluctuating role in New Orleans amid organizational changes.
Even so, his impact on the glass remains notable. The 6-foot-11 center is averaging 2.9 offensive rebounds per game, ranking 16th league-wide, a skill set that would immediately translate within a thin Lakers frontcourt.
Why Missi Fits the Lakers’ Deadline Strategy
From a financial standpoint, Missi checks several boxes. He is still on his four-year, $15.6 million rookie scale deal, earning $3.3 million this season and $3.5 million through 2026-27, with a $5.5 million team option for 2027-28.
That makes him a low cost, long-term developmental piece rather than a cap clogging commitment.
Most Lakers trade speculation has centered around expiring contracts such as Rui Hachimura ($18.2 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11 million).
A Missi deal, however, would likely fall into the category of a smaller, complementary transaction, allowing Los Angeles to maintain flexibility both financially and strategically.
The Lakers still want room to pursue a more impactful wing upgrade, and Missi’s modest contract would not interfere with that broader objective.
Second-year guard Dalton Knecht, who earns roughly $4 million, could theoretically be used as salary filler, though his trade value has reportedly dipped amid a downturn in form, per The Athletic’s Dan Woike.
Draft capital remains the biggest constraint. The Lakers currently control just one tradable first round pick, either in 2031 or 2032. However, there is growing belief that Pelinka is exploring ways to restructure that asset into multiple future selections in order to widen the team’s trade flexibility.
“Now, the really interesting thing with [the Lakers] is, they’ve been shopping around their future 2032 first-round pick for multiple first-round draft picks,” Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports recently said.
If successful, that approach would significantly expand the Lakers’ options ahead of the deadline. It could create a path to landing a Missi-caliber center, or even a higher-end option such as Nic Claxton, who has also been linked, while still preserving the ability to chase meaningful wing help.