Jimmy Butler will undoubtedly receive the majority of attention as the best player available before the trade deadline. But there’s still opportunity to be had with Brandon Ingram, as ESPN’s Shams Charania indicated with his latest insider report.
Ingram’s recent decision to sign with Klutch Sports Group looked to be the smoke to some fire, and the New Orleans Pelicans’ cap situation suggests a trade may be the best move for both parties as opposed to losing him for nothing in free agency. Reportedly unable to work out a deal for Karl-Anthony Towns in the summer, the Pelicans will have to move on from that being the caliber of player they now look for in return.
Which teams will step up to the plate and tempt the Pelicans into getting a deal over the line? Here are three teams that might be best suited to do so:
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons have played pretty competitive basketball this season and are firmly in the mix for a place in the Play-In Tournament. That would represent a significant improvement from being a sub-25-win team each of the past five seasons.
In firming up candidacy for a playoff spot, acquiring the second-best player who’s actually available before the deadline could provide a nice bump for the final stretch. The Pistons have upped their defense to league average, but the offense still languishes at 22nd. A scorer of Ingram’s caliber would ease the burden on Cade Cunningham and provide a major upgrade at the small forward position, where Tim Hardaway Jr. currently starts.
Possible trade:
Pelicans receive: Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart, Tim Hardaway Jr., 2027 second-round pick
Pistons receive: Brandon Ingram, Karlo Matkovic
Los Angeles Lakers
How desperate are the Lakers? Sitting at 12-10, this team looks well beneath championship contender status. LeBron James is putting up really good counting stats, but plus/minus and other indicators suggest this is his least impactful season since his rookie year. The defense is bad and the offense is middling.
If the Lakers are indeed in desperation mode, they could talk themselves into Ingram. Depending on James to still be the team’s second-best scorer is bordering on elder abuse. Slotting him third in the offensive hierarchy and Austin Reaves fourth could be a crucial shift — at least for the offense to improve — and may even help James give more on the defensive end.
Possible trade:
Pelicans receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Maxwell Lewis, 2026 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
Lakers receive: Brandon Ingram
Houston Rockets
While it’s likely the Rockets won’t try to fix something that isn’t broken, the second-best defense in the league could use a bit more firepower offensively and Ingram could be an ideal short-term solution.
The Rockets have suitable contracts in Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams, while Jae’Sean Tate still has a bit of intrigue as an underutilized wing in Houston. The Pelicans are rumored to value Ingram very highly, but the reality that he won’t sign an extension makes it much more likely they consider a so-so offer. The Rockets doesn’t have a problem, they can offer a “take it or leave it” deal with nothing to worry about.
Possible trade:
Pelicans receive: Dillon Brooks, Jae’Sean Tate, Steven Adams
Rockets receive: Brandon Ingram
