How This Trade Impacts New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have to do something to improve the roster and start winning some games. This trade adds some depth to the team, but it would be a hard sell to the fan base that they are serious about winning games if this trade is made.
Brandon Ingram has already made an All-Star game and at 24-years old is only getting better. If he and Zion Williamson have some friction and they feel the need to move him, they can do a lot better than this.
Trading away Ingram should only be considered if New Orleans is bringing back a bonafide All-Star in the return package. Players such as Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal and Ben Simmons are who Ingram packages should be targeting, not a deal with the Orlando Magic that arguably the best player coming back is Terrence Ross.
Normally, an unprotected first-round pick would be looked at as a good asset. It is a good piece to have, but the Pelicans were shopping their pick this season and swapped it with the Memphis Grizzlies to cut some salary. Adding another potential lottery pick to the mix doesn’t make much sense if the team was looking to move it for established talent this offseason.
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This deal would be looked at as another cost-saving move. Ingram has four years remaining on his contract, while Gary Harris is on an expiring deal. Wendell Carter Jr. is in the final year of his rookie deal and Ross’s contract ends in 2023.
That trio would bring some added depth to the Pelicans’ roster, but it certainly wouldn’t improve the team. A deal like this would likely cost some people their jobs and would make Zion Williamson push to leave New Orleans even more.
