In the NBA, draft capital is the currency of choice. It functions like any currency. If you don’t have it, you’d better have assets. If your bank account doesn’t look good, ideally, you’ve just bought something valuable.
Realistically, it depends on a team’s situation. If they’ve got a young squad with no hope of competing, they ought to have a deep collection of draft capital. On the other hand, a contending team doesn’t need draft capital. They might as well move whatever they’ve got left in a bid to improve their team.
Take the Cleveland Cavaliers. This team has the talent to compete. With that said, they don’t have much draft capital left. Still, they could use what they do have to improve their team. Could they spend the rest of their assets on Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans?
The Trade Proposal
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: C Jarrett Allen, G/F Isaac Okoro, 2024 First-Round Pick (Swap- CLE), 2030 First-Round Pick (Swap – CLE)
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F Brandon Ingram
Of course, you want to make safe investments. That goes for anyone. Sinking all of your assets into an asset that’s likely to depreciate is not wise. Did the Cavaliers do that last summer?
Yes, we’re talking about Donovan Mitchell. The Cavaliers unloaded a clip of first-round picks to land him. Now, it’s being rumored that he might leave. It’s being suggested that if Mitchell had the option of signing an extension with the team, he wouldn’t.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, Cleveland Cavaliers & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
This is a major concern. The Cavaliers may look to trade Mitchell as a result. On the other hand, if they want to make overtures to him, improving the team would be a good way to start. Would acquiring Ingram lead to enough improvement?
Why The Cleveland Cavaliers Do The Deal
We’ve got to think so. If the Cavaliers acquired Ingram, they’d have a full-blown superteam. He’d be joining Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley to form one of the most talented cores in the NBA.
Meanwhile, moving Allen has its own benefits. He didn’t look like a good fit alongside Evan Mobley in this year’s playoffs. Mobley is the most important player on this team. If he can’t play with Allen, the Cavaliers shouldn’t hesitate to trade the big man.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, Cleveland Cavaliers & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Following this deal, they’d slide Mobley to the 5. The team wouldn’t be perfect – the Cavaliers could look to add a solid defensive 4 who spaces the floor throughout the year. Still, with this much talent, the Cavaliers would have to make some noise. What would the Pelicans do following this move?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
In New Orleans, everything revolves around Zion Williamson. Whether they’re keeping him or trading him, every decision stems from that big decision. He’s the most important player on this team.
Let’s assume that they’re keeping him. In that event, the Pelicans will eventually need a strong defensive big to cover for Williamson’s limitations. They’re getting one here. Allen is one of the best defensive bigs in the NBA. He’s the centerpiece of this return for New Orleans.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, Cleveland Cavaliers & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Of course, he doesn’t have Ingram’s trade value. That’s why the Pelicans are landing two pick swaps in addition to Allen. Meanwhile, even Okoro has some upside as a defensive wing. If he hits his ceiling, this could be a good trade for the Pelicans. If nothing else, it’ll leave them with one of the best collections of draft capital in the NBA.
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