Pacers-Pelicans trade that would trade 2 rising stars
The The Indiana Pacers have been linked to a potential trade for center over the past month as the reigning NBA Finals runner-up searched for a successor to Myles Turner, who left in free agency. Jay Huff has been solid, especially when it comes to shot blocking, but Huff projects to be more of a depth piece than a 30-minute-per-game starter.
Several targets have already emerged for the Pacers, with Daniel Gafford and Ivica Zubac being linked. But another less heralded player could be the apple of Indiana’s eye, with sophomore center Yves Misi of New Orleans Pelicans looming as a potential acquisition at the deadline – with the impending free agent Benedict Maturin potentially going to New Orleans in the process.
“(Missy’s) available right now,” ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel said on Clutch Scoops with Tomer Azarly. “He’s going to be one of the best big men on the market if they really want to move him because he has a lot of years left on his rookie deal and he’s coming off his rookie season. And the Pelicans, I hear, have interest from Benedict Maturin.”
(Skip to 18:40 for the relevant part.)
Morant? Cuming? Latest NBA data from @TomerAzarli and @BrettSiegelNBA — Clutch Scoops 1/15/2025 https://t.co/IOKoGvlmbK
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 15, 2026
According to Siegel, this rumor follows a report from Stein Line’s Jake Fisher that the Pacers were scouting Missy.
Will the Pelicans give up Yves Mission?
The Pelicans were fond of Derrick Quinn last offseason, hence their decision to trade their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks just so they could select Quinn. This relegated Missy, who was one of the bright spots of their nightmare 2024-25 campaign, to the bench.
The Missi, however, still has many advantages as a rolling rim protector. He had 12 points and 12 boards Thursday night in a win over the Brooklyn Nets.
However, are they The Pacers are sufficiently convinced of Missy’s potential that they would decide to trade someone like Mathurin, who is probably their best available trade asset, to bring him in?
2026-01-16 06:46:00
