The New York Knicks have made an aggressive attempt to address their vacancy at center, but the New Orleans Pelicans have no intention of moving one of their young building blocks.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Knicks have “tried feverishly” to acquire the 22-year-old center after losing Mitchell Robinson in free agency. Those efforts have been unsuccessful, with New Orleans rejecting multiple trade proposals and making it clear that Missi is considered unavailable.
The Knicks entered the offseason fresh off winning the 2026 NBA championship, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games after finishing the regular season 53-29, third in the Eastern Conference. While New York retained its championship core, Robinson’s exit created a significant void behind starting center Karl-Anthony Towns.
Robinson signed a three-year, $47.4 million contract with the Boston Celtics after averaging 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in just 19.6 minutes across 60 games during the 2025-26 season. Ariel Hukporti also departed after the Knicks declined to extend him a qualifying offer, leaving the team thin at center.
Missi, a former first-round pick, is entering his third NBA season with two years remaining on his four-year, $15.6 million rookie-scale contract, including a team option for 2027-28. His affordable salary would be especially valuable for a Knicks team operating close to the NBA’s second apron.
Missi started 67 games as a rookie in 2024-25 and averaged 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 54.7% from the field in 26.8 minutes per game. Although his role changed last season, he remained productive, averaging 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 19.7 minutes over 66 appearances while converting 54.4% of his field-goal attempts.
Across his first two NBA seasons, Missi has averaged 7.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 23.4 minutes per game while shooting 54.6% from the floor. His combination of rim protection, offensive rebounding and efficiency makes him an attractive fit alongside New York’s veteran core.
The Knicks’ starting lineup remains one of the NBA’s strongest, led by Jalen Brunson, who averaged 26.0 points and 6.8 assists last season. Towns added 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds, while OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart rounded out a versatile two-way starting five.
