One player that stands out for them is former Baylor product Yves Missi. His talent level is supreme, as he averaged 10.7 points and 1.5 blocks his freshman season at Baylor. ESPN’s latest mock draft projects the seven-footer from Cameroon to be taken by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 23rd pick, the pick directly behind the Knicks first of two first round draft picks.
His size and tenacity on the glass are the two most attractive traits Missi possesses. The Knicks lacked size this past season, so Missi could provide critical depth at a position the Knicks are relatively smaller in compared to other teams.
“His skills overlap with the identity that head coach Tom Thibodeau prefers in centers, as Missi is an exceptional offensive rebounder and an efficient finisher around the rim,” wrote Daily Knicks’ Zachary Bachar. “His average of 2.6 offensive rebounds per game ranked No. 4 among all players in the Big 12.”
The Knicks need to address their interior depth this offseason
One of the Knicks’ biggest priorities this summer will be to retain one of their most impactful centers in Isaiah Hartenstein. The Knicks had the luxury of having three strong centers until Mitchell Robinson went down with another injury during the postseason, but they can still have that same luxury next season by drafting Missi.
Precious Achiuwa is a free agent and Jericho Sims has a team option that will likely be declined, so Missi would be the third-string big man behind Hartenstein (if he is re-signed) and Robinson. Given Robinson’s injury history, Missi could find himself a decent amount of playing time in his first year. Sims and Achiuwa gave the Knicks depth during both of Robinson’s absences last season, which was able to positively impact both of their developments as players individually.
