Out of every team in the NBA, the New Orleans Pelicans are among the most interesting. This team’s outlook is completely unclear. They’ve got a tremendous amount of talent, most young. At the same time, there are a lot of questions surrounding this team as well.
Here’s one: should they build around Zion Williamson? Would you? On the one hand, Williamson has looked like a bonafide MVP candidate when he can take the floor. Unfortunately, that’s too rare of an occurrence. Williamson is one of the most injury-prone players in the NBA.
Soon, this team may have to make a decision. The Pelicans could consider trading Williamson and building around Brandon Ingram. On the other hand, they could still build around Williamson and take a risk. If that’s the plan, could they trade Ingram to the Detroit Pistons?
The Trade Proposal
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F Bojan Bogdanovic, G/F Joe Harris, 2024 First-Round Pick (DET), 2026 First-Round Pick (DET), 2027 First-Round Pick (Swap – DET)
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Brandon Ingram
By contrast, the Pistons aren’t so interesting. Pistons fans: relax. Don’t misconstrue “interesting” with “exciting”. All we’re saying is this: we know what the Pistons are trying to do. This is one of the league’s youngest teams. The Pistons are distinctly future-focused.
For the most part, that is. The Pistons’ intentions may be clear, but their method of team building actually is somewhat interesting. All of the key players on this team are young. Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, and others are at the beginning of their NBA careers. On the other hand, the Pistons have opted to substantiate that talent with some veterans.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans & Detroit Pistons Updates
Perhaps none are as critical to their short-term success as Bogdanovic. The Pistons clearly acquired him to add some elite floor spacing alongside their cast of young playmakers. That’s a sensible enough idea. Could they really turn around and trade Bogdanovic?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
Some Pistons fans won’t like this. It’s fair to say that, in stark contrast to Bogdanovic, Ingram isn’t actually much of a floor spacer. He can knock down triples, but Ingram often prefers to probe the mid-range area for his shots.
Here’s the thing: he’s also the best player in this deal. This is a pure talent grab for the Pistons. They’re adding another young player who can be part of their core, but he’s established. Besides, the Pistons’ spacing may suffer here, but they’ll have so many dynamic young creators that in the end, it may not matter.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans & Detroit Pistons Updates
Is Ingram an immediate fit with this roster? No. Adding him would likely force the Pistons to choose between Ausar Thompson and Jaden Ivey. One of them would be playing the 2 alongside Thompson on a long-term basis. That’s fine – Ingram is talented enough to be worth that trouble. Should the Pelicans part with him?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
Are Williamson and Ingram a good fit? Frankly, it’s hard to say. Williamson has been injured too often for us to get a paper read on their chemistry. That said, it may be fair to say that either would have an easier time alongside a co-star who shoots threes more willingly.
Here, the Pelicans are adding a lot of shooting around Williamson. Bogdanovic and Harris are both knockdown shooters. The Pelicans are also losing the best player in this deal. That’s why they’re adding two unprotected first-round picks and a swap. In adding that draft capital to their collection, the Pelicans would have one of the biggest war chests in the NBA.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans & Detroit Pistons Updates
Are they taking a risk? You bet. Building around Williamson is a risk. On the other hand, the potential payoff is enormous. If he can get his body right, the Pelicans might not just be interesting moving forward – they could be dangerous.
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