There will plenty of eyes on the Miami Heat ahead of the 2025-26 NBA Trade Deadline.
They are currently 22-20 in the East with sole possession of the conference’s No. 8 seed. More importantly, they are hoping to avoid the play-in for the fourth-straight year.
After a 14-7 start, the Heat crashed back to Earth and haven’t developed a ton of rhythm. They’ve beat each of the conference’s top seeds (Pistons, Thunder) over the last three weeks. But they have also lost to the lowly Pacers by 24 points.
As the status quo’s been the last four years, Miami’s mediocre. The two biggest names they’ve been linked to ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline are Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and Grizzlies star Ja Morant.
But could there be any moves to shore up the Heat’s edges? Well, one young big out West could be a very intriguing fit to fill a pressing need.
Why Heat should target Yves Missi ahead of the trade deadline:
Drafted No. 21 by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2024 NBA Draft class, Yves Missi had an encouraging rookie season. He averaged 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, making All-Rookie second team alongside current Heat center Kel’el Ware.
Needless to say, the Baylor alum’s second season has been more uneven. And he could reportedly be on the chopping block, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
“At the bottom of the West, New Orleans has definitely left rival teams with the impression that it is willing to part with both Missi and fellow former first-round pick Jordan Hawkins,” Fischer wrote. “After consistently swatting away interest in highly coveted swingmen Trey Murphy III (who has scored at least 30 points in four of his past five games) and Herb Jones.”
Fischer’s report came in the context of the Indiana Pacers registering interest in centers “all across the league,” with Missi being a name on their list.
While the Heat are going big fish hunting, they should be in the same order of business. — and for the same player.
Missi, 21, is averaging 5.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks through 36 games on 56.2 percent true shooting.
The Heat’s frontcourt depth — or lack thereof — has been a pressing issue all season. The Heat’s Bam Adebayo-Kel’el Ware double-big lineup hasn’t worked. But they have little optionality and versatility outside of those two.
Enter Missi, a name I mentioned to keep an eye on ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft — like Ware. The 6-foot-11 big has only been playing basketball for ~6-7 years, where he’s still very raw offensively.
Missi’s still below par as a ballhandler, playmaker and shooter. But he’s an incredibly springy athlete who can be a hub at either dunker spot or as a vertical spacer.
Furthermore, he’s a very good shot blocker, where he rejects 2.7 per 75 possessions, and a very good offensive rebounder. He has to show a little more to be scheme versatilte defensively, but Missi’s motor is a 12 out of 10 regardless of the situation.
The case for the Heat is they get a chance to develop and fine tune the skillset of a very raw, yet high energy big. His minutes would be best suited with Pelle Larsson, Nikola Jovic and Kasparas Jakucionis — lob passers who can also hold their own defensively. That can work in a second unit.
His rookie scale contract is inexpensive, too. He makes $3.4 million this season, and his 2026-27 option ($3.5 million) was already picked up before the season. Even if he doesn’t see the floor right away, one of the league’s best developmental organizations gets a chance to work their magic.
What are your thoughts on Missi as a potential option? Let us know in the comments!
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Seems like the type of fringe move that would make the team a little better, but ultimately not move them out of the 8th place spot they’ve been holding down for the past half decade
Dude-
Congratulations to your Blazers team. They are at .500 for the first time in a long time. Glad you have something to cheer about in Portland. They are only 2.5 games behind Warriors for 8th place and 2.5 games up on Clippers and Grizzlies.
We’ve been joking that if they can get the 9-seed, the play-in game will be the biggest game in their home arena this decade, and it’s 2026.
Yes, this guy has the powerful wide body type hmm we need to shore up the rebounding. I’m sure there are others who would help also. How hard would it be to do something like this? There is no question we have a need.
I like his athleticism and price. His interior defense, rebounding and motor are good. Good insurance on the end of the bench in the event of injury or rest days. Not necessarily a solution for Miami’s need for a 3 & d PF or combo PF/C who can be paired alongside either Bam or Ware.
0% from 3 point range. That won’t fly.
With his small contract, we really don’t need him to shoot 3s. Just guard, rebound, block shots, and dunk the occasional lobs.
I liked Missi in that draft. Only 21. If they can pick him up, it would be good.