The Los Angeles Lakers could see a former lottery pick form a tandem with one of the league’s most feared stars.
Brandon Ingram has been the odd man out in New Orleans for the past year. With the Pelicans’ decision to bring in Dejounte Murray this offseason and the rise of Trey Murphy, the 27-year-old could be moving as soon as possible.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey created a trade hypothesis in which Ingram would end up with the San Antonio Spurs in a star-studded pairing with former first overall pick Victor Wembenyana.
“Spurs receive: “Brandon Ingram and Dean Wade,” Bailey wrote Tuesday morning. “The Pelicans receive: Jarrett Allen (cannot be traded until January 27, 2025), Caris LeVert, Julian Champagnie and a top-five protected 2029 first-round pick (from San Antonio). Cavaliers receive: Keldon Johnson, Zach Collins, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and a top-five protected 2029 first-round pick (from New Orleans).
Ingram was selected third overall by the Lakers in 2016. The former Duke star appeared to be the Lakers’ next cornerstone, but he was traded to the Pelicans in a blockbuster trade to bring superstar Anthony Davis to LA.
Since joining NOLA, the versatile winger has averaged 23.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 287 games. Despite his diverse skill set, the Pelicans remain reluctant to match the former top-5 pick’s asking price in his next contract. That said, this proposed three-team trade scenario could solve the Pelicans’ current dilemma.
The deal would see Ingram join San Antonio to pair the long forward with a generational talent in Wembanyama. Not only would the 27-year-old’s playmaking and scoring abilities give Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich plenty of diversity in his lineups next year, but the length on defense could help San Antonio make a playoff push in Year 2 of the Wembanyama era.
Adding Ingram alongside other offseason acquisitions like Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes would go a long way to adding to the Spurs’ impressive rotation. The move could put the Spurs in position to be at least a play-in team, or a mid-seed in the Western Conference.
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