The best landing spots for New Orleans Pelicans All-Star Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram‘s days with New Orleans Pelicans it looked like it was numbered. The only question is whether that day comes before February 6 NBA trade deadline or in free agency.

The 27-year-old is in the final season of a five-year, $158 million contract, and seems unlikely to sign an extension with the Pelicans. A one-time All-Star (2019-20), Ingram has been limited to 18 games this season due to calf and ankle injuries. What’s more, he didn’t play more than 64 games in a season during his six years in New Orleans due to various injuries (knee and Achilles flare-ups among other issues).

On the other hand, Ingram is a proven shooter in his prime. Averaging 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game and shooting 37.2% from beyond the arc over the past six seasons, Ingram is a well-rounded scorer who can score off the dribble, absorb contact and shoot efficiently .

Here are the top three trade destinations for Ingram that New Orleans, which has the worst record in the Western Conference at 8-31, should look to bring back before the trade deadline.

3. Chicago Bulls

Bulls are in no man’s land. They’re competitive enough to be in the playoff mix and not bad enough to have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft. Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Coby White and trading Alec Caruso for Josh Giddei) is that he intends to compete for the playoffs. With that in mind, Ingram presents an opportunity for the Bulls to potentially shake up their offense for the better.

LaVine is the driving force behind Chicago’s offense; Vucevic is one of the best scoring centers in the game; White blossomed into a bona fide marksman and marksman; Josh Giddei can facilitate and trigger a fast break. But realignment is needed for the Bulls (18-20) to be more than just a playoff team, which they have been in each of the last two full seasons.

Ingram gives the Bulls another proven scorer who can score in a variety of ways, with LaVine the other. LaVine, Ingram and White would be an electric trio that the Bulls could lean on and prevent them from relying on therefore much on LaVine to play the hero. Ingram paces their starting five and points to the goal of competing.

Chicago could send Vucevic, Aio Dosunmu and Jevon Carter to New Orleans for Ingram and a second-rounder. The Pelicans get their new starting center, who is under contract through next season, and a new wing in Dosunmu, while the Bulls adjust their starting five with a new piece of the puzzle in Ingram. Jalen Smith would later become Chicago’s new starting center.

At the same time, Chicago could be looking at a midseason move for a player of Ingram’s caliber as the only move that would work therefore much to their chances of making some noise in the Eastern Conference playoffs, as they are still 29th in points given up (120.8 per game).

2. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers did not dazzle under the first-year head coach JJ Redickbut they still have a respectable 20-16 record and are fighting to avoid the Play-In tournament. Anthony Davis game as always; 40 year old LeBron James still playing at an All-Star caliber level; Austin Reaves is averaging a career-high 18.3 points per game. But if the Lakers want to get past the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, they need some power. Enter Ingram, who gives the Lakers another player capable of significant scoring.

A starting five that includes Davis, James, Ingram and Reaves gives the Lakers four players who can slow down the game and create their own offense. What’s more, the top three players would form as formidable a frontcourt scoring trio as any in the NBA, while making it difficult for defenses to sharpen Davis or James.

Magic Johnson on the ceiling of the Los Angeles Lakers this season

Los Angeles could send Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent to New Orleans for Ingram and a second-rounder. The Lakers have prepared for life after James — if retirement should be on the table next offseason — while adding another colorful scorer to the mix. They also retain effective young players, such as rookies Dalton Knecht and Max Christiefrom this trade.

Meanwhile, Hachimura and Vanderbilt, when healthy, would play immediate roles for the Pelicans, who could try to redirect Vincent. That said, the Lakers potentially don’t want to commit more long-term payroll with James’ retirement date up in the air — if they re-sign Ingram — they could hold off on trading Ingram.

1. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs made a jump this season, and Ingram can help them sustain that jump and take another step in the near future. Victor Vembanyama is on the verge of becoming a superstar, if he isn’t already; Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell are proven wing shooters; newcomer Stephen Castle and Julian Champagne they have their moments.

Vembanjama does it all offensively and can undoubtedly be the leading scorer on a competitive team, but the Spurs (18-19) rely heavily on the three-pointer overall (40.1 attempts per game, which was sixth in the NBA) . entry on Friday). Ingram gives them a player who, while certainly capable and effective at shooting from distance, is more of an offensive shooter.

With Ingram attacking the rack and drawing attention in the paint, San Antonio has the wing shooters to make teams pay for letting Ingram step on them by having him find the open man — or finish at the rim. He brings a different skill set to the table and a top scorer record. Ingram’s timeline matches up with San Antonio, as he would be a 27-year-old veteran and the No. 2 scorer for an emerging core.

San Antonio could send Harrison Barnes, Zach Collinshis 2026 first-rounder and a pair of second-rounders to New Orleans for Ingram. The Pelicans are getting future draft capital and could look to move Barnes and Collins for more draft capital, while the Spurs are getting a player with a rising future.

By acquiring Ingram, the Spurs would move on two players who likely aren’t long-term pieces of the puzzle (Barnes and Collins), get to see how Ingram fits into head coach Gregg Popovich’s system, and have the inside track on re-signing him in the summer. With continuous progress from Vembanyama, Champagne, Castle and Jeremy SochanIngram could be the veteran addition that makes the Spurs a Western Conference contender over the next two seasons.

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