Chicago Bulls Eye Yves Missi from New Orleans Pelicans: The High Cost of Trading for a Potential Center Solution

As the Chicago Bulls look to bolster their roster ahead of the February 5 NBA trade deadline, one potential trade could see them landing Yves Missi from the New Orleans Pelicans. However, this move comes with a significant financial commitment—Jordan Poole and his hefty $34 million salary. Despite the cost, this deal could provide the Bulls with a much-needed solution at center while helping the Pelicans shed a problematic contract.

The Case for Yves Missi: A Center of the Future for Chicago

For Arturas Karnisovas, the Chicago Bulls’ Executive VP of Basketball Operations, one of his biggest mistakes has been his failed evaluation of the center position. With head coach Billy Donovan’s vision of building a team focused on youth, athleticism, and pace, the current center, Nikola Vucevic, simply doesn’t fit the mold. Vucevic, a 35-year-old center, remains the anchor for Chicago’s frontcourt, but his slow, ground-bound style of play doesn’t align with the up-tempo, ball-moving offense the Bulls want to run.

In light of this, acquiring Yves Missi from the Pelicans could offer the Bulls a fresh solution. Missi, a 21-year-old center standing at 6-foot-11 and weighing 235 pounds, has the athleticism, explosiveness, and potential to thrive in Donovan’s system. His 7-foot-2 wingspan makes him an ideal rim protector and rim runner—exactly what the Bulls need at the position. With his springy athleticism, Missi would complement the Bulls’ young core, particularly Josh Giddey, who excels at orchestrating offenses with slick passes.

Why the Pelicans Would Make This Deal

While the Bulls are eyeing a future with Missi, the Pelicans are looking to shake up their roster. The trade involves Jordan Poole, whose $34 million contract has become one of the most undesirable deals in the league. Poole, who was acquired by the Washington Wizards in the Golden State Warriors trade, has struggled this season, averaging just 14.5 points per game on 37% shooting from the field and 33.6% from three-point range. His shoot-first mentality and lack of defensive effort have made him a tough fit for a rebuilding Pelicans team.

For the Pelicans, the deal would allow them to offload Poole’s burdensome contract, while also parting ways with Missi, who has seen his role diminish with the emergence of rookie Derik Queen as the team’s center of the future. In return, the Pelicans would get Collins’ $18 million expiring contract, freeing up cap space, and White, a starting guard who could pair well with Jeremiah Fears if New Orleans opts to re-sign him this summer.

Bulls’ Perspective: A Center Problem Finally Addressed

For the Bulls, the potential acquisition of Yves Missi is a game-changer at the center position. The team has struggled for years to find a consistent, dynamic center who can complement their backcourt, particularly with Giddey’s ability to run the offense. Missi’s athleticism and defensive potential make him a perfect fit for Chicago’s system.

Taking on Jordan Poole’s $34 million salary for the 2025-26 season may seem like a high cost, but the Bulls are in a position where they can handle one year of that deal, especially since they don’t need to compete for a title next season. The trade proposal allows the Bulls to avoid giving up any significant draft assets, which is crucial as they look to build around their young core.

Though losing White could hurt, particularly if he is indeed on his way out of Chicago, Missi’s potential to fix the Bulls’ long-standing center problem makes the trade a logical one. If the Bulls can add Missi without giving up major assets, they could finally have a solution at the position they’ve struggled to address for years.

Grading the Trade: Bulls Walk Away with a B+

The trade proposal gives the Bulls a chance to solve one of their most pressing roster issues while maintaining flexibility for the future. Yves Missi offers the Bulls an explosive, athletic center who fits their long-term vision, and taking on Poole’s contract for a single season doesn’t hurt them in the grand scheme of things.

However, this deal does come with some risk. While Poole’s salary is burdensome, the Bulls’ ability to handle it in the short term is the key to making the deal work. Poole has been a shell of the player he was with the Warriors, so it remains to be seen whether the Bulls can extract any value from him. Additionally, losing White, though not a major blow, still adds a level of uncertainty to the trade.

Trade Grade for the Bulls: B+

In conclusion, the Bulls have the opportunity to take a major step forward with the acquisition of Yves Missi, addressing a glaring need at center. If they can offload Poole’s salary and take on Missi without giving up any essential future assets, this trade would be a win for Chicago, even if it comes with a caveat. As the trade deadline approaches, this is a deal worth watching closely for both the Bulls and the Pelicans.

This version provides a detailed breakdown of the trade scenario, examining why the Bulls would be interested in Yves Missi, why the Pelicans would want to make the trade, and the overall impact on both teams. The trade grade reflects the Bulls’ chance to solve a long-standing roster issue without overcommitting, making it a potential smart move for the future.