For the Toronto Raptors, conversations around the center spot will be a key focus this offseason.
The team may have had a hopeful vision and plan when they extended Jakob Poeltl last summer, but setbacks and injury concerns have turned that decision into what now looks like a major oversight — perhaps even more than some of the original critics had anticipated.
Having one of the least alluring assets on your roster is a massive gut punch for the Toronto Raptors. If they can’t find a trade for Poeltl, they may have to ride it out with the aging big man as an overpaid role player for the rest of his deal.
That being said, Toronto can still explore alternatives for Jakob Poeltl, even if he's not the centerpiece of a hypothetical offseason trade scenario. One such target that has previously been linked to the Raptors in rumor mill chatter, and has once again popped up in summer speculation, is Pelicans sophomore center Yves Missi.
The 21st pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Missi seemed like the Pelicans' answer at center for the future. He posted 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks over 73 games, averaging 26.8 minutes per night in his rookie year. However, in the 2025-26 campaign, Missi saw a bit of a dip, with his numbers dropping to just 5.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in an average of 19.7 minutes over 66 appearances.
Raptors’ center search could lead them to a Yves Missi trade this summer
Missi was already a name reportedly shopped by the Pelicans as the 2026 trade deadline drew near, and those discussions could be revisited by New Orleans if they encounter an appealing deal on the table.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently highlighted in his NBA intel piece: "Missi drew significant trade interest at the time, including from the Pacers, Hawks, Celtics, Knicks, Bulls, Lakers, and Raptors, as previously reported by HoopsHype. Amid those trade talks, the Pelicans signaled they wanted a first-round pick to consider parting with Missi, league sources said."
Is this where the Toronto Raptors swoop in and pounce on a young big with the potential to still take another leap? The report mentions Toronto’s rumored interest around the deadline, and there’s no reason why they wouldn’t continue to be intrigued by Missi’s fit alongside the promising youth movement already in place. Toronto even has a plausible path to get there, by sending faltering youngster Gradey Dick to New Orleans, and likely, some draft capital (ideally, second round picks) to sweeten the offer.
Missi may not be a floor spacing big to complement guys like Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles, but the idea of adding a bull-strong, shot-blocking, rim-running big with power and explosiveness is almost the complete opposite of what the Raptors are currently facing with an aging, declining Jakob Poeltl.
And hey, if the issue is finding a more dynamic big to bolster Toronto’s depth, they can always explore a Mamu extension or sign someone like Jock Landale to bring a different element — while Missi occupies the main center spot.
The glaring issue that could become a roadblock in these talks is the Pelicans' previous asking price of a first-round pick to acquire Missi’s services. That’s not an unreasonable ask by any means, but would the Raptors’ front office consider a player like Yves Missi worth parting with a first-rounder? Or might they wait to see if a bigger star becomes available, allowing them to use their draft capital more effectively? Not to mention, Missi's similar appeal to other teams that could outbid Toronto if they hesitate to jump the gun.
It’s all still up in the air, but I have to say, I’m very intrigued by Missi as a Raptors target. He could very well be the answer this team desperately needs at the five-man spot.
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