The New Orleans Pelicans are entering the offseason after another unsuccessful season in which they were swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The front office has been attempting to build a team that can contend in the Western Conference, but they have not been able to advance past the first round in recent years. One potential change that the Pelicans are considering is trading All-Star forward Brandon Ingram this summer, as reported by NBA insider Marc Stein. There is a growing belief leaguewide that the Pelicans will explore the trade market for Ingram before next season.
If the Pelicans decide to trade Ingram, they are likely to receive a nice haul in return. Despite being only 26 years old, he is eligible to sign a massive extension with only one year left on his current deal. This means any team that trades for Ingram would likely be looking to extend his contract. Some possible trade destinations for Ingram include the Los Angeles Clippers, where they could potentially work out a sign-and-trade with star Paul George, the Atlanta Hawks, who have assets to offer after securing the No. 1 pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who may be choosing between Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, and the Los Angeles Lakers, where Ingram could potentially be reunited with his former team.
Another potential trade destination for Ingram could be the Boston Celtics, who may be looking to shake things up if they fail to secure an NBA title. A swap of Ingram for Jaylen Brown could benefit both teams, with Boston getting a new player to pair with Jayson Tatum, and New Orleans receiving a two-way player to build around alongside Zion Williamson. By exploring potential trades for Ingram, the Pelicans could be looking to make significant changes to their roster in order to improve their chances of success in future seasons.
While trading a player like Ingram can be a difficult decision, especially for a team looking to contend, the Pelicans may see it as a necessary step to take in order to shake up their roster and address any weaknesses. By exploring potential trade options and considering offers from other teams, New Orleans may be able to acquire key pieces that could help them take the next step in the competitive Western Conference. The offseason will be a crucial time for the Pelicans as they look to make strategic moves that will set them up for success in the future and improve their chances of making a deeper playoff run.
