Centers Yves Missi, Alex Sarr named Rookies of the Month

But December brought a significant uptick in play — and a sense of the 19-year-old Sarr’s two-way potential. After 30 games, entering Wednesday, Sarr now ranks second among rookies in scoring at 11.6 points per game, behind the Philadelphia 76ers’ Jared McCain (15.3). He’s tied with Portland’s Donovan Clingan for third in rookie rebounding at 6.1 per game, behind the New Orleans Pelicans’ Yves Missi (8.5) and the Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Edey (8.0). Sarr is 10th among rookies in player efficiency rating at 12.75, ahead of the Atlanta Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher, taken first overall (9.58), the Houston Rockets’ Reed Sheppard, drafted third (7.32) and the San Antonio Spurs’ Stephon Castle, selected fourth (10.33). And Sarr doesn’t just lead rookies in blocked shots per game (1.8) — he’s seventh in the league, period. -via New York Times / January 2, 2025

Center Yves Missi (mid-back contusion) is listed as questionable for the final game of the Pelicans five-game homestand on Monday, Dec. 30 against the LA Clippers in the Smoothie King Center. -via NBA.com / December 29, 2024

The Lakers’ interest in acquiring a center has been well-documented. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has long desired a switchable reserve to complement Ivica Zubac, league sources say. Milwaukee has made calls to explore ways to add more of a lob threat to complement Brook Lopez, according to league sources, while the Bucks’ incumbent center has generated no shortage of trade interest since last summer. In New Orleans, meanwhile, tremendous potential flashed by rookie center Yves Missi has not dimmed the Pelicans’ desire to pursue potential additions to their frontcourt rotation if they are in any position to buy before this trade deadline. The Knicks likewise have an incomplete frontcourt as long as Mitchell Robinson remains sidelined, while New York, remember, has already gauged Robinson’s trade value dating back to this time last season when NBA personnel flocked to Orlando for this same G League Showcase that begins Thursday. Jericho Sims has played fleeting minutes of late in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation, leading the former Texas center to be considered a trade candidate to monitor by rival executives, sources say. -via marcstein.substack.com / December 19, 2024

“We have some glimpses where he comes off the dribble full court and makes a move and throws a pass without looking, and you’re like, ‘Hmm, that’s different,’” a team source said of Sarr. “And he switches, blocks a shot, contests a shot, and you’re like, ‘OK, he’s going to be all right.’ But you have to live with the two out of five games where he looks … like a rookie.” -via New York Times / January 2, 2025

“I feel like, no matter what, just coming every night to compete, no matter what happens, and then see the outcome,” Sarr said Tuesday after practice. “I would say, just thinking about what we’re trying to build, seeing what’s happening right now in the team, trying to stay together and competing every night. That’s really what it’s all about.” -via New York Times / January 2, 2025