Ideal Knicks Center Trade Partner No Longer Seems Like an Option

Throughout this offseason, the Pelicans have stood out as an ideal center trade partner for the Knicks. However, a deal hasn't materialized—but that's not for lack of trying.

Earlier this summer, New Orleans reportedly rejected New York multiple times on a deal for Yves Missi. Then this week, SNY's Ian Begley added that the Knicks also tried to trade for Missi's backup, Karlo Matković, but they were again turned away.

This intel makes it pretty clear the Pels aren't impressed by what Leon Rose has put on the table. In fact, recent comments from New Orleans general manager Joe Dumars reinforce exactly that, as he blamed a lack of offers as the reason he hasn't made a deal this offseason.

Joe Dumars says the “right” deals weren’t there for the Pelicans this offseason:

“The lack of moves being made right now is not from a lack of effort or us deciding we didn’t want to do anything. We’ve engaged with a lot of teams this offseason. But there was just no big deal… pic.twitter.com/R9omyAPqPp
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 10, 2026

Add all of this up together, and it seems as though the Knicks' solution to their center need won't come from the Pelicans anytime soon.

Pelicans' lack of interest in trade with Knicks is abundantly clear

This appears to be a classic case of a team overvaluing its young trade pieces. Though Missi had a good rookie campaign (9.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg), his numbers dropped across the board (5.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg) as an NBA sophomore. Matković is in a very similar boat, but his production was even lower in his second season (5.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg) than Missi's.

Neither player can be classified as a rising star, yet New Orleans seems to be treating them as such by shooting down trade offers when the team just finished 26-56. The fact that the Pelicans are running it back with essentially the same roster has confused many, as it appears this group has a clearly limited ceiling, so trading away supporting pieces for assets would be the smart organizational move.

It's possible the Knicks may be low-balling New Orleans in hopes of retaining more assets to use later this season. However, Rose paid a very fair market price (two second-rounders) for Jose Alvarado in a deal with these same Pelicans back in February. And given the team's pressing need for a more long-term backup center candidate, it'd be a surprise if New York hasn't made legitimate offers to acquire Missi or Matković.

Miles McBride, whom the Knicks likely need to offer to make a deal, should also be of real interest to NOLA given his upward trajectory and fit at shooting guard. The fact that his potential inclusion hasn't tempted them into a deal speaks volumes about how closed off Dumars might be to helping New York out.

Patience seems like Knicks' only hope to still make center trade with Pelicans

While the Pels' resistance seemingly shelves any center trade for the time being, it doesn't completely take them off the Knicks' board of potential trade partners.

Instead, New York could decide to exercise some patience to begin the season, using its vacant two-way spots or non-guaranteed deals to add depth for the opening weeks. That'd leave room to explore any trade opportunities that pop up, either in the first half of the campaign or closer to the deadline.

Meanwhile, assuming the Pelicans' flawed roster performs as expected, that could lead to New Orleans becoming an obvious seller rather quickly in 2026-27. Then the Knicks—who've already laid some trade groundwork given their calls on both Missi and Matković—would be able to throw Dumars a lifeline by taking on one of his centers in exchange for future assets that he can sell as part of a bigger plan for his team.

That appears to be the Knicks' ideal outcome with the Pels now, as a deal ahead of the preseason seems next to impossible. Of course, that'd also require everything to go according to plan, which is never a given in the NBA.

As a result, New York could treat New Orleans as a lost cause after another rejection and Dumars' comments. Rose may opt to try to work with one of the other possible trade partners instead, should he prefer a more immediate addition at center.

Get Knicks On SI straight to your inbox: sign up for our free newsletter here.

Add us as a preferred source on Google