Wizards Should be Targeting Pelicans Big Man

The Washington Wizards should pursue this New Orleans Pelicans big man whose name was recently put on the trading block.

Jan 16, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Washington Wizards have been on a roller coaster of a 2025–26 season, filled with some of the lowest lows in franchise history along with some of the highest highs in recent memory. However, in recent weeks, Washington has begun to pivot its complete focus toward the future.

Everything from the moves they make to the lineups they are running out has seemingly hinted at a full pivot toward the future, leaving any care about performance this season behind. However, as the Wizards continue to progress forward, they will need to find the right players to pair alongside their already rock-solid young core (who consistently top their draft class) in order to fully maximize everyone’s development.

Points per game leaders among the 2024 draft class this season:

1. Alex Sarr (17.2)
2. Stephon Castle (17.1)
3. Kyshawn George (15.5) pic.twitter.com/8dDjglOfgI

— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) January 20, 2026

Washington already made the now-infamous move to acquire Trae Young, whose long-term outlook with the franchise may remain in question. Now, as we inch closer to the trade deadline, more players around the league have thrown their names into trade talks in hopes of finding a solid new home.

Wizards Should Inquire About Yves Messi

According to insider Michael Grange, the New Orleans Pelicans are willing to trade center Yves Missi, possibly drawing interest from a team like Washington. The Wizards, of course, already have one of the better young centers in the NBA in Alex Sarr, but that isn’t to say he is a flawless player.

Over the course of the season — and especially in recent games — teams have exploited Sarr’s physical weakness, deploying bigger, stronger centers in order to overpower the thin frame that Sarr currently possesses. The fix for this is to find a center who can make up for what Sarr lacks physically as of now, and what better name to enter trade talks than Missi.

The 6-foot-11, 235-pound center was a first-round pick by the Pelicans just a little over a year ago, impressing scouts around the league with his physical and athletic gifts. As a rookie, Missi didn’t disappoint, as he immediately stepped in and became an impact player for New Orleans. Missi started 67 of the 73 games he appeared in, logging 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.

It seemed as if the Pelicans had found their center of the future to pair alongside Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy, but that hype was quickly squandered by New Orleans’ new rookie center, Derik Queen, who has quickly asserted himself as one of the best young big men in the NBA.

Jan 16, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen (22) shoots the ball in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Queen’s impressive play, alongside a coaching change, has left Missi with far less opportunity than in previous seasons, making it clear that he may need a new home. Washington may not be the best team right now, but if they choose to make a move for the second-year big man, he would undoubtedly benefit the development of both Sarr and the rest of the Wizards’ young core.

Make sure you bookmark Washington Wizards on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

• Wizards' Young Stars Building Relationship as Dual Closers
• Wizards Rookie Providing Defensive Punch to Young Rotation
• Wizards Need to Address Big Front Court Issue
• Wizards Look Smart for Parting with CJ McCollum
• Wizards' Bub Carrington Emerging as a Playmaker
• Wizards Come Up Empty-Handed Against Nuggets