DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 07: Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors talks with Quinten Post #21 during a break in the game against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on November 7, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 07: Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors talks with Quinten Post #21 during a break in the game against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on November 7, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors’ search for frontcourt help took a sharp turn from blockbuster swings or splashy names to a smaller move.
As the trade deadline approaches, a new report indicates Golden State is also exploring lower-risk moves designed to stabilize a thin interior rotation — a strategy that reflects both urgency and restraint following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury.
Warriors Among Teams Monitoring Yves Missi Market
Yves Missi, Knicks, Warriors
GettyYves Missi of the New Orleans Pelicans goes to the basket against Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies.
According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, the Warriors are among several teams that have registered interest in New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi, a young big man whose role has fluctuated amid organizational changes in New Orleans.
“Yves Missi is generating significant interest on the trade market once the Pelicans were open to fielding offers,” Sidery reported on X. “The Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Pacers, Raptors, and Warriors are among the teams who recently inquired about Missi.”
The breadth of interest underscores Missi’s appeal as a cost-controlled, high-energy interior presence — precisely the type of profile Golden State has been lacking for much of the season.
Missi’s Role Shifts Amid Pelicans Transition
Missi, the No. 24 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has seen his minutes ebb and flow during a transitional year for the Pelicans. New Orleans moved on from Willie Green this season, installing James Borrego as interim head coach in the first year of Joe Dumars’ leadership over basketball operations.
As roles shifted across the roster, Missi’s usage followed suit.
After earning All-Rookie Second Team honors last season, the 6-foot-11 center averaged 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game. This season, his numbers have dipped to 5.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 18.8 minutes, a decline tied more to reduced opportunity than diminished impact.
Rebounding Skill Set Fits Warriors’ Needs
Even with fewer minutes, Missi has continued to make his presence felt on the glass. He is averaging 3.1 offensive rebounds per game, tied for 12th in the NBA — a glaring area of need for Golden State.
The Warriors rank near the bottom of the league in both rebounding and rim protection, and Missi’s activity level, length, and motor would immediately address those deficiencies without altering the team’s offensive hierarchy.
He profiles as a rim-runner, screen-setter, and second-chance creator — a complementary piece rather than a usage-heavy focal point.
Financial Flexibility Makes Missi Appealing
From a cap perspective, Missi checks nearly every box.
He remains on a four-year, $15.6 million rookie-scale deal, earning just $3.3 million this season and $3.5 million annually through 2026-27, with a $5.5 million team option for 2027-28. That structure allows Golden State to add depth without compromising future flexibility or dipping into its prized draft capital.
For a front office balancing immediate competitiveness with post-Stephen Curry considerations, that balance matters.
A Pivot From Blockbuster Ambitions
Missi’s emergence as a target also reflects a subtle pivot from the Warriors’ earlier exploration of elite, high-cost centers.
Earlier this season, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Golden State had internally discussed the possibility of pursuing Anthony Davis, viewing the 10-time All-Star as a transformative defensive anchor.
“I was told they’re contemplating making a case to acquire Anthony Davis,” Haynes said on NBA on Amazon Prime. “And with that being said, I was told that Dallas was not that fascinated with what Golden State has on its books.”
NBA insider Marc Stein later echoed that sentiment, noting that while Golden State has long admired Davis, the practical barriers were significant even before recent injury concerns.
“The Warriors have held a longstanding fondness for Davis and I’m told that they have indeed had some internal discussions about pursuing him,” Stein wrote, adding that Davis’ massive contract and injury history injected further hesitation.
Smaller Moves, Same Urgency
Against that backdrop, interest in Missi represents a measured alternative — one that addresses roster needs without mortgaging the future.
Whether New Orleans ultimately moves the young center remains unclear, but Golden State’s inclusion among the suitors signals that the Warriors’ deadline strategy extends beyond headline-grabbing names.
Sometimes, the most meaningful upgrades arrive quietly.