Yves Missi NBA Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Pelicans Roster
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacek
Featured Columnist IVJune 27, 2024
The New Orleans Pelicans added some depth to their frontcourt rotation Wednesday when they selected Baylor big man Yves Missi with the No. 21 overall pick of the 2024 NBA draft.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Yves Missi
Position: C
Height: 7'0"
Pro Comparison: Mark Williams
Scouting Report: Teams will know what they're getting with Yves Missi, an athletic 7-footer with translatable finishing ability, shot-blocking and defensive switchability. Flashes of face-up offense hinted at some extra offensive upside. Teams will also know what they're not getting with Missi, as he offers no shooting or passing.
Yves Missi, C: Rookie-scale contract
Zion Williamson, PF: $36.7M (2028)
Brandon Ingram, SF: $36M (2026)
C.J. McCollum, SG: $33.3M (2026)
Herbert Jones, SF: $13M (2027)
Larry Nance Jr., PF: $11.2M (2025)
Dyson Daniels, PG: $6.1M (2026)
Trey Murphy III, SG: $5.2M (2025)
Jordan Hawkins, SG: $4.5M (2027)
Matt Ryan, SF: $2.2M (2026)
E.J. Liddell, PF: $2.1M (2026)
Malcolm Hill, G: Two-way (2025)
Jonas Valančiūnas, C: UFA
Cody Zeller, C: UFA
Jose Alvarado, PG: Club option
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, PF: Club option
Naji Marshall, SF: UFA
Dereon Seabron, SG: RFA
While teams surely approach the NBA draft with upside in mind as they look for future franchise cornerstones, there is also something to be said about taking players with solid floors.
Missi fits that bill given his defensive profile. He is versatile enough to defend power forwards or centers and is quick enough to protect the rim when ball-handlers get into the paint looking for finishing opportunities.
He proved as much when he averaged 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in just 22.9 minutes per game in his one season at Baylor.
That defensive prowess alone should help Missi play his way into the Pelicans' rotation as soon as his rookie campaign, but his ability to improve on the offensive end will ultimately determine his ceiling at the sport's highest level.
As Wasserman highlighted, he isn't exactly a finished product on that end of the floor.
Perhaps New Orleans can help him improve in that area and turn into an impact player as his career progresses.
