An unexpected Pelicans player is predicted to swoop in and win a major award

Their lone bright spot may win a major NBA award.

Dejounte Murray, Yves Missi
Dejounte Murray, Yves Missi | Todd Kirkland/GettyImages

There haven't been a lot of things that have gone right for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. They have had an avalanche of injuries, including star Zion Williamson, who has missed all but six of the team's games this season. While that has resulted in the Pelicans having an awful 5-27 record, which is the second-worst record in the NBA, it hasn't been all bad for New Orleans.

In addition to likely ending up with a high lottery pick, 2024 first-round pick Yves Missi has been a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season for the Pelicans. The Pelicans entered this season without a traditional starting center, and while he wasn't expected to play a big role, due to injuries he was given a larger one.

Given the chance, he has played surprisingly well despite being seen as a project when he was drafted. His size and athleticism were major selling points. That has been on full display with his rim protection, rebounding, and finishing ability at the rim.

So much so that Bleacher Report projects that Missi will be Rookie of the Year this season. If that is the case, then that would be an impressive and surprising feat. This is because the last time a rookie who wasn't a lottery pick won Rookie of the Year was in 2017 with Malcolm Brogdon.

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Yves Missi is a dark horse candidate to win Rookie of the Year.

Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers, the previous frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, sustained a season-ending injury that turned the field upside down. While San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle is technically first on the leaderboard according to NBA.com's Rookie Ladder, Missi has been starting for the Pelicans, getting plenty of reps, and even starting to put up solid numbers.

He's posted a rock-solid 9.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 55.7% from the field. More importantly, he has gotten better month over month, with him averaging a double-double with 11.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in 11 December games thus far.

With this draft class not producing any immediate stars, this Rookie of the Year field is as wide open as it has been in years. As a result, Bleacher Report's assertion that Missi will win Rookie of the Year seems entirely plausible, and he will get plenty of opportunities to solidify his candidacy for the award.