Knicks' Pelicans Center Trade Dream Fizzles
Source: SI NBA. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
The New York Knicks' search for a reliable center this offseason has repeatedly hit a wall in New Orleans. What once seemed like a natural trade partnership has devolved into a series of rejections, leaving the Knicks scrambling for alternatives.
Earlier this summer, the Pelicans turned down multiple New York offers for Yves Missi, a 7-footer who showed promise as a rookie but regressed in his sophomore season. Missi averaged 9.1 points and 8.7 rebounds during his first year but dropped to 5.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 2025-26. Then this week, SNY's Ian Begley revealed that the Knicks also tried to land Karlo Matkovic, Missi's backup, only to be rebuffed again. Matkovic's numbers are even more modest: 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
Pelicans general manager Joe Dumars has made it clear he isn't impressed. In a statement shared on social media, Dumars said, "The lack of moves being made right now is not from a lack of effort or us deciding we didn't want to do anything. We've engaged with a lot of teams this offseason. But there was just no big deal." The message suggests New Orleans is holding out for a better return, even though the team finished 26-56 last season.
Some league observers see this as a classic case of overvaluing young talent. Neither Missi nor Matkovic has proven to be a rising star, yet the Pelicans are treating them as untouchable. Running back a roster with a clearly limited ceiling strikes many as puzzling; trading away supporting pieces for future assets would seem the smarter organizational move.
For the Knicks, the situation is frustrating. Leon Rose, New York's president, paid a fair market price—two second-round picks—for Jose Alvarado in a deal with the same Pelicans back in February. That history suggests the Knicks are making legitimate offers, not lowballing. Miles McBride, a young guard with upward trajectory, could be a valuable trade chip for New Orleans, fitting their need at shooting guard. Yet the Pelicans have shown no interest, even with McBride's potential inclusion.
Patience may be the Knicks' only remaining option. They could use their vacant two-way spots or non-guaranteed deals to add depth for the opening weeks of the season, leaving room to explore trade opportunities later. If the Pelicans' flawed roster performs as expected, New Orleans could become a seller early in the 2026-27 campaign. The Knicks have already laid groundwork with their calls on Missi and Matkovic, and would be ready to offer future assets.
But that scenario requires everything to go according to plan, which is never guaranteed in the NBA. Rose may decide to treat New Orleans as a lost cause and pivot to other trade partners for a more immediate center addition. Either way, the Pelicans' door is firmly shut for now, and the Knicks must look elsewhere or wait.
Article commentary
The Knicks' failed pursuit of Pelicans centers highlights a broader tension in the NBA: how teams value young, unproven players versus the urgency of contending. New York is clearly in win-now mode, needing a reliable backup behind Mitchell Robinson or Jericho Sims. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are in a rebuilding phase after a disastrous 26-56 season, yet they are hoarding mid-tier assets as if they are building blocks for a championship. This is not a case of the Knicks lowballing. The market rate for players like Missi and Matkovic is not high. Two second-round picks for Jose Alvarado set a precedent, and the Knicks offered similar value. The Pelicans' refusal suggests either an inflated sense of their players' worth or a strategic desire to avoid helping a potential Eastern Conference rival. Dumars' public comments about lacking a "big deal" ring hollow when the team's biggest need is accumulating future assets, not holding onto average centers. From New York's perspective, the path forward is tricky. Patience is a virtue, but it carries risk. The Knicks have a competitive roster now, and waiting until the trade deadline could mean missing out on the chance to build chemistry. Using two-way contracts or non-guaranteed deals to patch the center spot temporarily is a stopgap, not a solution. The team's best bet might be to explore other trade partners—perhaps a team like the Utah Jazz or Washington Wizards, who have surplus big men and are more willing to deal. Yet the Pelicans remain a logical partner if they falter early. If New Orleans starts 2026-27 poorly, Dumars may be forced to reconsider. The Knicks have already done the legwork, and a future trade involving picks or a young guard like McBride could still materialize. But that requires Dumars to admit his current stance is untenable. Ultimately, this standoff reveals the Knicks' limited leverage. They need a center, and everyone knows it. The Pelicans are playing hardball, and only time will tell if that strategy pays off or backfires. For now, New York fans must watch and wait, hoping the front office can find another way to shore up the frontcourt.