Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F Brandon Ingram and G Eric Bledsoe
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Malik Beasley, G Ricky Rubio, G Jarrett Culver, 2023 first-round pick and 2025 first-round pick (top 5 protected)
If the New Orleans Pelicans want to truly build around Zion Williamson, it might be wise to move Brandon Ingram and see what he can bring back.
In this particular NBA trade scenario, Ingram would be going to Minnesota along with Eric Bledsoe, who came over in the Jrue Holiday trade at the beginning of the season. He has been a trade piece ever since because he is not a future piece.
The main priority for the Pelicans will be to surround Williamson with as much shooting as possible but without having plays that take the ball out of his hands often. Brandon Ingram is at his best as an initiator as opposed to being an off-ball option.
Of course, Ingram has vastly improved as a catch-and-shoot threat, but he’s someone you want running high ball screens or attacking in isolation.
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In return, the Pelicans would add a perimeter threat in Malik Beasley. He had a strong statistical season and gained some value. Ricky Rubio and Jarrett Culver would be the other players going to New Orleans, along with two first-round picks.
Let’s take a closer look and see how this NBA trade scenario centered around Brandon Ingram would impact both the Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans.