Every NBA team wants to win. Sometimes, winning isn’t an option. In that case, some teams opt to tank to maximize their lottery odds.
Fans will be patient with tanking – to an extent. After some time, they may grow tired of losing. If a team has been near the bottom of the NBA standings for too many years, they may decide to make a win-now trade – whether they’re ready or not.
Take the Detroit Pistons. This organization is surely growing tired of losing. Their fans are growing impatient. Some have suggested that the Pistons may opt to make a major win-now trade this summer. Could they acquire Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans?
NBA Trade Proposal
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, C James Wiseman, G Jaden Ivey, 2024 First-Round Pick (DET)
Detroit Pistons Receive: G/F Brandon Ingram
When a team is tanking, the goal is to land a franchise player. That’s a high bar. Only a small handful of players ever reach that level. Several obstacles can keep a player from hitting that mark.
Can Zion Williamson get there? It’s hard to say. Williamson has certainly looked the part at times in his career. Unfortunately, injuries have kept him from being as reliable as a franchise player is supposed to be.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons Updates
The Pistons’ Cade Cunningham has had his own durability issues. At the same time, he hasn’t quite looked like a franchise player even when healthy. Still, Cunningham has the potential to reach that level. Would pairing him with Ingram help?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
It depends. Ingram’s three-point volume has been steadily declining for years. That’s not a problem in a vacuum. Ingram is a gifted midrange scorer who knows how to get to his spots.
Still, if he’s going to compliment Cunningham, he’ll need to shoot more threes. That feels like an easily fixed coaching issue. Ingram has been a high-volume three-point shooter before. For argument’s sake, let’s assume that Ingram will be comfortable launching more threes.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons Updates
In that event, he should be a perfect fit alongside Cunningham. Ingram is a versatile offensive player who can make plays for himself and his teammates. Should the Pelicans part with him?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
The Pelicans will want to see how their season goes. If they make a deep playoff run, they’ll likely prefer to hang onto Ingram and Williamson. On the other hand, if they fall short, they’re expected to entertain moving one or the other.
Let’s assume they’ll prefer to keep Williamson, It’s a tough call, but he does give the Pelicans a higher ceiling. In that event, this deal should suit the Pelicans.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons Updates
No, it won’t make them better in the short term. It will improve their future. This pick will land in the top 5, Ivey has shown plenty of potential, and even Wiseman has looked like a rotation player in 2023-24. New Orleans could potentially include all of these assets in a trade for a star down the line. That’s likely to help the team win.
