In the NBA, some rumors never come to fruition. Others do. With that said, some take longer to be realized than others. A team may have a rumored interest in a player, and end up acquiring him some time later.
Often, we hear rumors about a team’s interest in a player around the draft. The draft is a time that’s ripe for trades. A pick that has just been conveyed has a fixed value. With that in mind, plenty of folks expected the Charlotte Hornets to shop the second overall pick in the most recent draft. By all accounts, Brandon Ingram was a trade target that they were considered.
In the end, Charlotte didn’t shop the pick. They used it to select Brandon Miller. That doesn’t mean they never had an interest in Ingram. Could the Hornets make a move for him anyway?
The Trade Proposal
New Orleans Pelicans receive: G Terry Rozier, G/F Cody Martin, G James Bouknight, 2026 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2028 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2030 First-Round Pick (CHA)
Charlotte Hornets receive: F Brandon Ingram
With that said, some teams wind up in rumors no matter what they do. They don’t need a top lottery pick to find themselves there. In other cases, a team makes a selection at the top of the lottery, and end up in trade rumors from that point on.
If you didn’t put it together, we’re talking about the Pelicans. Zion Williamson was the first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He wasn’t your regular top pick, either – Williamson was one of the most anticipated prospects in the history pf the league. Unfortunately, injuries have limited his ability to make good on that anticipation. So, Williamson is frequently the subject of trade rumors.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans & Charlotte Hornets Updates
So is Ingram. There seems to be a general sense that the Pelicans need to start thinking about changes. As talented as this duo is, they may not work out. Could the Pelicans really send Ingram to Charlotte?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
There’s an irony here. Part of why it’s been suggested that the Pelicans could break Williamson and Ingram up is their combined injury history. Yet, we’ve got the Pelicans trading the less injury-prone player of the pair. Why?
Well, it’s hard to say what the Pelicans might get for Williamson. Teams may be apprehensive about giving up the farm until he proves that he can stay healthy. If he does that, the Pelicans won’t want to move him. On the other hand, they should be able to get a substantial return in exchange for Ingram.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans & Charlotte Hornets Updates
That’s what they’re doing here. Rozier is a strong offensive guard who will keep the Pelicans relevant. Bouknight has a lot of potential, and Martin is a solid rotation player as well. Still, the Pelicans are primarily doing this deal for three unprotected first-round picks. Should the Hornets give up so much in exchange for Ingram?
Why The Charlotte Hornets Do The Deal
Some Hornets fans may question our logic here. The Hornets drafted Miller. He’s a wing. Why are they selecting another wing?
Well, that wing is Brandon Ingram. He’s a dynamic shot-creator who can set up his teammates as well. Ingram also has some defensive value. He’s one of the most well-rounded wings in the NBA, and he’s young enough to grow alongside LaMelo Ball. This would be a coup for a small market team like the Hornets.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Yet, the Hornets aren’t minimizing Miller here either – if anything, they’re ousting Miles Bridges. The Hornets could go big by playing Miller at the 2, or small by playing Ingram at the 4. Either way, these two players can comfortably co-exist. Rumor has it that the Hornets are interested in putting that concept to the test.
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