Jake Madison here, the host of the daily Locked On Pelicans podcast, with your daily Locked On Pelicans newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pelicans and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Yves Missi’s Rookie of the Year Case: A Rising Star in New Orleans
Photo by Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Yves Missi’s stellar performance for the New Orleans Pelicans has thrust him into the Rookie of the Year conversation. The 17th overall pick has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season, starting 27 of his 33 games and averaging 27 minutes per contest.
Missi’s impact has been undeniable. He leads all rookies in total points, rebounds, offensive rebounds, and field goals made for December. His 277 rebounds through 33 games surpass Anthony Davis’s franchise rookie record, and his 125 offensive boards are the most by any NBA rookie since Blake Griffin in 2010.
The young center’s prowess extends beyond his rookie class. Missi ranks in the top 20 for total rebounds in the entire NBA, second in offensive rebounds, and tied for 10th in blocks. His standout performance against Nikola Jokić, posting 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks, showcases his potential to compete with the league’s elite.
Rookie of the Year Competition
While Missi’s case for Rookie of the Year is strong, historical trends suggest he may face an uphill battle. Recent winners like Victor Wembanyama and Paolo Banchero averaged over 20 points per game. Missi’s current 9.3 points per game, while impressive for his role, falls short of this benchmark.
The competition is fierce, with Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies emerging as a formidable contender. Despite playing fewer minutes, Edey’s per-36 minute stats of 18.5 points and 13 rebounds are eye-catching. The Grizzlies’ better win-loss record could also sway voters in Edey’s favor.
However, Missi’s consistent play and impact on a struggling team shouldn’t be overlooked. His positive on-off court stats and defensive contributions make him a valuable asset for the Pelicans’ future, regardless of individual accolades.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Yves Missi’s Rookie of the Year chances, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
• Jose Alvarado’s return from injury
• Upcoming crucial stretch for the Pelicans
• Analyzing the Pelicans’ potential starting lineup
Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) warms-up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center. | Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
After weeks of downplay by his agent and denials by Heat president Pat Riley, Jimmy Butler has finally said the quiet part out loud to a room of postgame media about his future in Miami.
“What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be — we’ll find out here pretty soon — but I want to get my joy back. I’m happy here, off the court, but I want to be back to somewhere dominant. I want to hoop and I want to help this team win. Right now, I’m not doing that,” Butler said.
In a quick follow up, Butler was asked whether he thought he could get his joy back with the Heat.
“Probably not,” he said without any hesitation.
As a Butler in Miami believer, my surprise stems from the state of the team. That the front office has let the Heat’s roster slowly erode to the strange place of competitive limbo they find themselves in. Losing key role players, like Max Strus and Caleb Martin, plus offensive gap fillers like Gabe Vincent, has left the Heat without much depth. The undeniable talent of Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro — who is having one of his best seasons, despite it all — and sophomore Jamie Jaquez Jr. is there, and for years Duncan Robinson has worked to be whatever the team needs him to be, but the scrappy longevity and the plucky punches this team was capable of pulling two and three seasons ago are gone.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Honor Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards calls Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the “MVP of the NBA.”(ESPN)
Injury Pistons Jaden Ivey undergoes surgery to repair his broken fibula, and his earliest timeline for return is four weeks. (SportsNet)
Watch Charles Barkley calls out JJ Redick over NBA ratings comments, “dead man walking.” (Awful Announcing)
Honor Yves Missi earned the title of Rookie of the Month for the New Orleans Pelicans, underscoring his remarkable performance and contribution to the team. (NOLA)
Injury Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado is expected to return to the lineup against the Washington Wizards, marking his recovery and potential impact on upcoming games. (NOLA)
Trade As the 2025 NBA trade deadline approaches, rumors are swirling about potential moves, with the Pelicans being part of the trade discussions. (Bleacher Report)
Must Read The first voting results for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game have been released, featuring Giannis, Nikola Jokic, and Jayson Tatum in the lead, a crucial update for Pelicans fans. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Jimmy Butler’s Trade Request Shakes Up Miami Heat & Fantasy Basketball
Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks on from the bench during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
I’ve been hearing whispers about potential issues between Butler and the Heat organization for months now. Sources close to the situation indicated that the Heat were hesitant to offer Butler a contract extension, which reportedly left him feeling undervalued and frustrated.
Butler’s recent press conference comments, where he stated he may never regain his joy for playing basketball while with the Heat, seem to confirm these tensions. His on-court performance has also noticeably dipped, with Butler appearing disengaged and putting up subpar numbers.
From a fantasy perspective, Butler’s potential departure raises questions about who might step up in his absence. However, looking at games where Butler has been out this season, no clear beneficiary has emerged. Players like Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson have failed to consistently produce starter-level fantasy numbers in Butler’s absence.
Click the button below to get the inside scoop on a rookie center’s breakout game.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pelicans podcasts.
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