Another day, another silly trade proposal for the New Orleans Pelicans and Brandon Ingram.
I thought I had seen the worst trade proposal for Brandon Ingram, but publications seem to be jumping over themselves to outdo one another in bad ideas.
Some fans have it in their heads that Ingram is not a good fit with Zion Williamson, which I would say is far from proven given that both of them thrived last season.
It’s more the other parts that didn’t fit, and the Pelicans hope they have remedied that by trading Lonzo Ball, Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe.
The Pels should have better shooting, defense and spacing around their two young stars next season, which will hopefully lead Ingram to the first playoff appearance of his young career.
But the Pelicans’ defense is still under the microscope, which is probably why some people think trading him for a defender makes sense. But if that defender is Ben Simmons, it doesn’t.
Pelicans: Trading Brandon Ingram for Ben Simmons makes no sense
The most recent trade proposal from True Hoop has the New Orleans Pelicans not only sending Ingram to the 76ers for Simmons but also adding another player:
I should first off say that I really like Ben Simmons and am not nearly as down on him as others. This is an under-25 All-NBA player who is one of the best defenders in the league hands down.
I have advocated trading for Simmons in the past, but only if the price was low, and giving up Brandon Ingram is far from low.
I don’t think I would trade Ingram for Simmons straight up and this proposal has the Pelicans tacking on another player as well.
Simmons might help the Pelicans’ defense but his lack of shooting is the exact opposite of what they need around Zion, as Simmons not only can’t shoot but seems unwilling to even try.
The 76ers are getting desperate to trade Simmons, who says he is not going to report for training camp, so they have zero leverage in negotiations. It would be them, not the New Orleans Pelicans, who would have to sweeten the pot and even then it wouldn’t be worth it.
This one makes no sense unless you are a Philly fan and the Pelicans would laugh heartily before hanging up the phone.