The OKC Thunder are the top-dogs in the Western Conference standings, while the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves heading toward yet another playoff-less, cellar dweller finish here in 2025-26.
Their vast differences in success rate and long-term trajectory could ironically make them an ideal pairing at this year's deadline.
Simply put, Oklahoma City has far too much draft capital than they even know what to do with, whereas NOLA is seemingly on a collision course with a full-blown rebuild and teardown, which, generally speaking, only benefits from an influx of picks.
With this in mind, Sam Presti and company may want to strongly consider taking advantage of the Pelicans' crumbling situation by offloading lower-end, presumably second-round assets in an effort to bring on 2024 first-round selected big man, Yves Missi.
Thunder should consider buying low on Yves Missi at trade deadline
Per recent reports, the Pelicans are "testing the market" for their sophomore center as the days tick down to the February 5 trade deadline.
After putting forth an All-Rookie Second-Team campaign in 2024-25 while dropping solid averages of 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, Missi has seen a stark decline in production here in year two due, in large part, to a mid-season coaching change, where they've moved to more of an up-tempo scheme under interim clipboard wielder, James Borrego's regime.
With this, the more old school, back-to-the-basket big has found his minutes drop from 26.8 to a mere 18.8 in 2025-26, with his points (5.5) and rebounds (5.5) averages also falling as a result.
Of course, despite what the counting stats may suggest, his efficiency both as a board gobbler and rim protector is still highly impressive, as he's pulling down 13.9 boards (7.5 offensive) and swatting 3.4 shots per 100 possessions.
The Thunder are notorious for not making any in-season moves. In fact, GM Sam Presti has even gone on record criticizing such actions.
However, with Isaiah Hartenstein's looming contract decision for the coming summer, along with the fact that Oklahoma City's pivot depth has been rather barren for large stretches this season as a result of unfortunate luck in the health department, there's a case to be made that they could use for added reinforcements in the big man department.
With his size (6-foot-11, 235 pounds), style of play, and contract situation (attached to a highly affordable, rookie-scale deal through 2028), Missi is without question a player worth Presti's consideration to break his no-trade habits, especially if they can somehow acquire him for a package consisting of lower-end draft capital and, say, Ousmane Dieng's expiring contract.