The BIG Man that got AWAY. (And how the Lakers can get him BACK)

As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers are once again at a crossroads. Despite boasting a roster headlined by LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and a host of versatile wings, the team’s frontcourt athleticism remains a persistent question. After a season marked by injuries, inconsistent rim protection, and a lack of vertical explosiveness, the Lakers’ need for a young, dynamic center is more pressing than ever.

One name stands out as both a tantalizing prospect and a realistic target: Eves Missy, the 21-year-old big man currently with the New Orleans Pelicans. Once highly coveted by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft, Missy’s sophomore campaign has been hampered by injuries and a shifting team context, making him potentially available. This feature examines Missy’s profile, the Lakers’ needs, the Pelicans’ situation, and the viability of a trade that could reshape both franchises.

I. Eves Missy: The Athletic Prototype

A. Rookie Promise and Sophomore Setbacks

Missy entered the league as the 21st pick of the 2024 draft, following a standout collegiate career defined by shot-blocking, rebounding, and elite athleticism. In his rookie season, Missy averaged 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on 54% shooting—numbers that underscored his immediate impact as a rim protector and rebounder.

However, his second year has been less smooth. Nagging foot and ankle injuries have kept him out of a dozen games and limited his mobility. Compounding his struggles, the emergence of Pelicans rookie Derek Queen and the team’s shift toward a small-ball, five-out system have reduced Missy’s minutes and role. With versatile forwards like Trey Murphy, Sadiq Bey, and Herb Jones soaking up frontcourt time, Missy has found himself the odd man out, even occasionally losing backup minutes to Carlo Matovic, whose offensive spacing better fits the Pelicans’ evolving scheme.

B. Physical Tools and Defensive Prowess

Standing 6’11” with a 7’2” wingspan and weighing 235 lbs, Missy is a physical marvel. His length and mobility allow him to contest shots at the rim, switch onto perimeter players, and recover quickly when beaten off the dribble. On defense, he is a disruptive force—blocking shots, altering layups, and cleaning the glass with relentless energy. Missy’s motor sets him apart; he scraps for rebounds, fights in the paint, and brings a level of intensity that is rare among young centers.

C. Offensive Role and Untapped Potential

While Missy remains raw offensively, he excels as a rim runner, lob target, and vertical finisher. He runs the floor with ease, catches lobs in transition, and finishes above the rim with authority. Though not yet a polished post scorer or shooter, Missy has shown flashes of ball-handling in transition and the ability to attack closeouts. His touch around the basket is underrated, and with proper development, he could expand his offensive repertoire.

II. The Lakers’ Need for Athleticism and Rim Protection

A. Current Frontcourt Dynamics

The Lakers have long relied on veterans and versatile forwards to anchor their defense. While Anthony Davis remains a premier rim protector when healthy, the supporting cast has struggled to provide consistent athleticism and rebounding. The team’s recent acquisition of Mark Williams signaled a desire to address these issues, but with Williams’ injury history and limited upside as a vertical threat, the need persists.

B. The Fit: Why Missy Makes Sense

Missy’s skill set aligns perfectly with the Lakers’ needs. He offers:

Elite rim protection: His length and timing make him a deterrent in the paint.
Rebounding: Missy’s motor and reach allow him to dominate the glass.
Vertical spacing: As a lob threat, he opens up the floor for playmakers like Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
Switchability: His mobility enables him to guard multiple positions and thrive in modern defensive schemes.

For a team seeking to maximize its championship window while developing young talent, Missy represents both immediate impact and long-term upside.

III. Eves Missy’s Production and Profile: A Two-Year Snapshot

A. Sophomore Season Overview

Despite injuries and reduced minutes, Missy has posted respectable numbers in 2025–26:

5.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 blocks per game
57.5% shooting from the field
17.6 minutes per game

His per-minute production remains strong, and in games where he’s received extended run, Missy has delivered:

Vs. Chicago: 14 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks in 29 minutes
Vs. Denver: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks in 24 minutes
Vs. Golden State: 9 points, 10 rebounds in 20 minutes
Vs. Memphis: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks in 20 minutes

These stat lines illustrate his ability to impact games defensively and on the glass, even when offensive opportunities are limited.

B. Rookie Season Baseline

Missy’s rookie campaign, unencumbered by injuries and competing rookies, was even more impressive:

9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 blocks per game
54.7% shooting
26.8 minutes per game
67 starts in 73 games

When healthy and given starter’s minutes, Missy projects as an 8+ rebound, 1.5 block per game center with athletic upside—exactly what the Lakers have lacked.

IV. The Pelicans’ Changing Landscape

A. Emergence of Derek Queen and Small-Ball Philosophy

The Pelicans’ frontcourt has undergone a transformation. Derek Queen, the team’s new star rookie, has become the focal point of a five-out offense built on spacing and versatility. With forwards like Trey Murphy, Sadiq Bey, and Herb Jones able to shoot and switch defensively, the team has prioritized mobility and offensive flexibility over traditional size.

B. Missy’s Reduced Role

As a result, Missy’s minutes have dwindled. His lack of shooting limits his fit in the Pelicans’ system, and his value as a rim protector is less critical in a scheme built around perimeter play and switching. With Carlo Matovic sometimes preferred for his spacing, Missy has become expendable.

C. Asset Management and Future Planning

The Pelicans’ recent moves—including trading a 2026 unprotected first-round pick to Atlanta for Queen—underscore their willingness to reshape the roster. Recouping future picks and acquiring cost-controlled talent could be attractive as they continue to build around their young core.

V. Trade Construction: What Would a Deal Look Like?

A. The Mark Williams Precedent

The Lakers’ recent trade for Mark Williams involved:

2031 unprotected first-round pick
Dalton Connect (recent first-round pick)
2030 pick swap

Given Missy’s draft pedigree (21st overall) and his athletic profile, a similar package could be required.

B. Proposed Trade Framework

Lakers receive:

Eves Missy (centerpiece, developmental upside)
Jose Alvarado (27-year-old guard, defensive specialist, playmaker)
Sadiq Bey (versatile 6’7” wing, three-point shooter, physical defender)

Pelicans receive:

Gabe Vincent (expiring contract)
Dalton Connect (cost-controlled shooter, fits rebuilding timeline)
2031 unprotected first-round pick
2030 pick swap (if necessary)

This deal provides the Lakers with immediate athleticism at center and depth at guard and wing, while the Pelicans recoup assets and gain flexibility for their evolving system.

C. Strategic Rationale

For the Lakers, the trade is about upside and fit. Missy’s athleticism and defensive ceiling complement Luka and LeBron, while Alvarado and Bey provide depth and versatility. For the Pelicans, the move recoups a future first, adds a promising shooter in Connect, and clears the way for Queen and other versatile forwards.

VI. Risk, Reward, and Market Context

A. Evaluating Missy’s Floor and Ceiling

While Missy remains raw offensively, his floor as a high-energy rebounder and shot-blocker is valuable. His ceiling—as a DeAndre Jordan-type vertical threat—could be realized with proper development and a system that maximizes his strengths.

B. Comparison to Other Targets

The Lakers could pursue more established big men, but Missy’s age, health, and upside make him a unique fit. He is healthier and more explosive than Mark Williams, with a motor that runs more consistently than DeAndre Ayton. The risk is mitigated by his defensive impact and athletic profile.

C. Pelicans’ Motivation

With Missy’s role diminished and the team prioritizing spacing and versatility, moving him for future assets and cost-controlled talent makes sense. Alvarado and Bey, while useful, are not central to the Pelicans’ long-term plans.

VII. Conclusion: A Calculated Gamble for the Lakers’ Future

The Lakers’ pursuit of Eves Missy represents a calculated gamble—one that could pay dividends in both the short and long term. By acquiring a young, explosive center with defensive upside, the team addresses a glaring need while maintaining flexibility for future moves. Missy’s fit alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James could unlock new dimensions in the Lakers’ offense and defense, providing vertical spacing, rim protection, and energy.

For the Pelicans, the deal offers future assets, roster clarity, and a chance to build around their new core. The timing is ripe, with Missy’s role shrinking and the team’s philosophy shifting.

As the trade deadline approaches, both franchises must weigh the risks and rewards. For the Lakers, the opportunity to “right the wrongs” of the 2024 draft and secure the big man they once coveted may finally be within reach. For Missy, a change of scenery could reignite his development and showcase his athletic gifts on a bigger stage.