The Toronto Raptors are in dire need of center play this offseason, and the front office clearly knows that. On Tuesday, Raptors assistant general manager Dan Tolzman spoke about offseason plans and spoke briefly about their approach at the 2026 NBA Draft. TSN’s Josh Lewenberg mentioned that Tolzman said they are looking to address a need for a lob threat/rim protector.
Although the NBA Draft could be a great opportunity to fill that void, the options at center of that archetype are limited within Toronto’s range. So what if they pivot to a target of theirs from this past trade deadline in New Orleans Pelicans sophomore center Yves Missi?
Missi is both a rim protector and an athletic lob threat who is young and on a cheap deal, which could benefit the Raptors, as they will likely once again look to duck the tax.
Missi checks both of Toronto’s boxes
This past season, Missi averaged 5.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in an average of 19.7 minutes in 66 games. These stats were a dip from his rookie campaign, where he made the league's All-Rookie Second Team. However, as someone who watched a ton of Pelicans basketball last season, I'd say his number dipping wasn’t him taking a step back but rather just more competition at his position. In his second season, Missi's defensive awareness and rebounding improved, and his interior scoring saw a major improvement.
All season, Missi had highlight blocks, whether they were chance-down blocks or just from great timing and anticipation. He is truly a special shot blocker for his age. The only highlights of his that may rival his blocks are him finishing alley-oops or monster putback dunks.
Missi is extremely active on the glass, and that stems from his incredibly high motor. He’s aware that at times he won’t be the most talented or skilled big on the floor, but one thing he makes sure of is that he’ll be the hardest working. Throughout the offseason, you can see how motivated he is to be better. Rather than spending his summer improving his ball-handling or outside shot, he embraces the boring and tries to really refine the skills that matter: play finishing, rim protection, and rebounding.
At 22 years old and with how great I’m making him sound, you may wonder why a New Orleans team that lacks a center presence is looking to move him. That’s the same thing most people in the Pelicans community and around the NBA have been asking themselves. I chalk it up to Joe Dumars having a strange vision that no one, not even Dumars himself, can understand.Â
If the Raptors are truly looking for a rim protector/lob-threat that is on a cheap deal and can fit their timeline, Missi should be their guy. Using the No. 19 pick to address another need like shooting or guard play and trading for Missi to help out at the five would be an A+ way to start the summer for Bobby Webster.
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