UPDATE: The Lakers are exploring a potential trade for Pelicans big man Yves Missi. As the deadline looms, L.A. is clearly prioritizing defense at the rim. Is this the move that finally balances their roster?

Los Angeles Lakers Expected to Be Active Buyers Ahead of NBA Trade Deadline

As the February 5 NBA trade deadline rapidly approaches, the prevailing expectation around the league is that the Los Angeles Lakers will operate as buyers, not sellers. Despite facing limitations in tradable assets, multiple league insiders suggest that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka remains aggressively engaged in trade discussions, determined to improve the roster for a postseason push.

The Lakers’ front office has consistently signaled a desire to maximize the remaining prime years of LeBron James while continuing to build around Anthony Davis. That urgency has fueled speculation that Los Angeles will explore a variety of trade avenues rather than waiting for the offseason.

While much of the early reporting centered on the Lakers pursuing a young, reliable two-way wing, recent intel suggests that the team’s search has expanded to include frontcourt reinforcements, particularly players who can provide rim protection and rebounding stability.

Lakers Expanding Trade Search to Include Frontcourt Help

According to ESPN insiders Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, the Lakers have begun surveying the trade market for additional help in the paint. While wing defense remains the primary objective, interior defense has quietly emerged as a secondary priority.

This strategic shift reflects the Lakers’ ongoing struggles in several key areas. Throughout the season, Los Angeles has ranked near the bottom of the NBA in team rebounding, second-chance points allowed, and interior defensive efficiency. Opposing teams have repeatedly exploited the Lakers’ lack of depth behind Anthony Davis, especially when he is forced to shoulder heavy defensive responsibilities.

Adding a capable, cost-controlled big man could ease that burden while also improving lineup flexibility.

Yves Missi Emerges as a Potential Trade Target

One intriguing name recently linked to the Lakers is Yves Missi, the 21-year-old center currently with the New Orleans Pelicans.

According to Forbes NBA insider Evan Sidery, Missi has begun generating significant trade interest after New Orleans signaled a willingness to entertain offers.

“Yves Missi is generating significant interest on the trade market once the Pelicans were open to fielding offers,” Sidery reported. “The Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Pacers, Raptors, and Warriors are among the teams who recently inquired on Missi.”

That level of league-wide interest underscores Missi’s appeal as a young, athletic rim protector who remains on an affordable rookie-scale contract.

Why Yves Missi Makes Sense for the Lakers

From a basketball standpoint, Missi checks several boxes for Los Angeles.

Standing 6-foot-11 with strong mobility, Missi has built his reputation around energy, rebounding, and shot-blocking. Those traits align directly with the Lakers’ most glaring weaknesses. Los Angeles has struggled all season to control the paint, especially when Davis sits or is forced to defend multiple actions.

Missi’s physical profile and high motor would allow him to contribute immediately in limited minutes while continuing to develop long term.

During the 2024-25 season, Missi earned All-Rookie Second Team honors, averaging:

9.1 points
8.2 rebounds
1.3 blocks per game

While his raw offensive numbers were modest, his defensive impact and activity level stood out among first-year bigs.

Sophomore Dip Masks Continued Strengths

In his second NBA season, Missi’s production has declined, but context matters.

Through 38 games, he is averaging:

5.5 points
5.5 rebounds
1.3 blocks

The dip is largely attributed to a fluctuating role within the Pelicans’ rotation, driven by injuries, lineup experimentation, and broader organizational changes in New Orleans.

Despite reduced minutes, Missi’s effectiveness on the offensive glass remains elite. He is currently averaging 2.9 offensive rebounds per game, ranking 16th in the entire league. That skill alone would provide immediate value to a Lakers team that often struggles to generate second-chance opportunities.

Financial Flexibility: A Key Advantage

Beyond on-court fit, Missi’s contract situation makes him especially attractive to the Lakers.

He is currently in the second year of a four-year, $15.6 million rookie-scale deal, earning:

$3.3 million this season
$3.5 million annually through 2026-27
$5.5 million team option for 2027-28

This structure makes Missi a low-risk, cost-effective developmental asset, not a long-term cap commitment that could limit future flexibility.

For a Lakers front office carefully balancing present contention with future maneuverability, that matters greatly.

How a Missi Trade Fits Into the Lakers’ Deadline Strategy

Most Lakers trade rumors to date have revolved around expiring or mid-sized contracts, including:

Rui Hachimura ($18.2 million)
Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million)
Maxi Kleber ($11 million)

Those contracts are widely viewed as matching salary pieces in a potential larger trade for a wing upgrade.

A deal for Missi, however, would likely be smaller and more complementary, allowing the Lakers to address frontcourt needs without exhausting their limited assets.

This approach would enable Los Angeles to pursue multiple upgrades, rather than betting everything on one blockbuster move.

Dalton Knecht and Draft Capital Considerations

Second-year guard Dalton Knecht, who earns roughly $4 million, could theoretically be included as salary filler in a Missi trade. However, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, Knecht’s trade value has declined amid recent struggles, making him less appealing as a centerpiece.

The real obstacle remains draft capital.

Currently, the Lakers control only one tradable first-round pick, either in 2031 or 2032. That limitation has constrained their leverage in negotiations.

However, there is growing belief that Pelinka is actively exploring ways to split that future pick into multiple first-round selections, potentially through a third-team arrangement.

Lakers Exploring Creative Draft Pick Strategies

Yahoo! Sports analyst Kevin O’Connor recently shed light on this strategy:

“Now, the really interesting thing with [the Lakers] is, they’ve been shopping around their future 2032 first-round pick for multiple first-round draft picks.”

If successful, that maneuver would significantly expand the Lakers’ trade flexibility ahead of the deadline.

It could open the door to acquiring a Missi-level center while still preserving assets for a higher-impact wing addition—or even a more established big man.

Bigger Names Still on the Radar

While Missi represents a cost-efficient option, the Lakers have also been linked to higher-profile frontcourt targets such as Nic Claxton. Landing a player of that caliber would require greater draft compensation, but Pelinka’s willingness to explore creative asset management suggests nothing is off the table.

Ultimately, the Lakers appear intent on incremental but meaningful improvement, targeting players who fit both the current roster and long-term vision.

Final Outlook

As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers are positioning themselves as proactive buyers, not passive observers. With Rob Pelinka exploring both wing upgrades and frontcourt reinforcements, players like Yves Missi represent a smart, strategic fit—addressing immediate needs without sacrificing future flexibility.

Whether Missi becomes a Laker or simply a signpost of broader intentions, one thing is clear: Los Angeles is preparing to make moves, and the next few weeks could significantly reshape the roster.