The New Orleans Pelicans have been busy this offseason. Beginning with the NBA Draft, the team is quickly building out a solid roster. In Yves Missi, they have the perfect building block Center down the middle. But it isn’t just rookies where the team is making moves.
In one of the more surprising moves in free agency, the Pelicans got in on the Dejounte Murray business. Trading Larry Nance Jr, Dyson Daniels, and 1 first-round pick, the return was a far cry from the 5 pick swap that Atlanta gave up to acquire Murray. In Dejounte, the team now has a reliable crunch-time option. In an area where their struggles were historically bad, the one-time All-Star’s effectiveness on both ends is essential. However, the team might not be done retooling their roster.
With the addition of Murray, the team now has an overabundance of guards on their roster. However, rather than find a move for the aging and oft-inconsistent CJ McCollum, the team’s focus is on moving Brandon Ingram. After months of contract negotiations going nowhere, it looks inevitable that Ingram will move out of NOLA. And, as it turns out, a surprising team is emerging as a potential landing spot.
Possible trade package for Brandon Ingram to Utah
The obvious trading chip for the Jazz is Lauri Markkanen. Entering the final year of his deal, it could essentially be a player swap between the two sides. However, for a Pelicans side with an overabundance of starters as is, adding Markkanen might not be the best bet. Instead, they could look to further round out their depth. Off the bench, the biggest hole for New Orleans comes in the form of scoring.
While Willie Green has a solid, if unspectacular, bench, no one poses a real scoring threat. That could change in a combination deal. For the one-time All-Star, Utah could part ways with Jordan Clarkson and John Collins. Two players heavily rumored to be on the trade market as it is, the deal could work two ways for the Jazz. Parting ways with two rotational players, and getting an All-Star in return, it would leave Danny Ainge with a bevy of options moving forward.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz Updates
On the Pels side of things, Clarkson would work as the ideal 6th man. A bonafide bucket, or professional scorer as the parlance goes, Jordan would be a nightmare to defend off the bench. Immediately giving life to the non-starter lineups, the perennial 6MOTY contender would give the team a different look to throw at opponents.
In John Collins, the team gets a proper rim-runner who could thrive alongside Zion Williamson. If Collins can reunite with his Atlanta 3-point shot, the fit alongside Williamson would be seamless. After losing both Jonas Valanciunas and Nance, NOLA is low on Center options. While Collins can’t give the defensive intensity of either, he could work as a serviceable Center down low.
What would BI bring to the Jazz?
At 6-foot-10, BI is the long rangy wings that the Jazz have become the premier home to. Whether it be scoring or playmaking, Brandon ranks above average in all categories. Further, his ability to put the ball on the floor or act off the ball gives his game a unique edge. Utah, of course, has a very similar archetype in Lauri Markkanen. But, for a team like the Pelicans, as previously discussed, the price could be different for Ingram.
For the past 5 seasons, the former Los Angeles Laker has been a lock for at least 20 ppg. Alongside Lauri, the Jazz get a supersized duo of scorers to facilitate their offense. While they haven’t shown any inclinations, the team could take a flyer on Ingram’s last year. If successful, it gives the team the building blocks to trend upward. Otherwise, a trade deadline move to a contender could net the Jazz even more assets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz Updates
The trade between New Orleans and Utah around Brandon Ingram makes too much sense to not get done. However, with the Markkanen move seemingly inevitable, the Jazz could wait for the first domino to fall before engaging with BI.
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