Brandon Ingram's availability in a trade has been well-documented. Pelicans fans and pundits alike believe the lanky swingman will be in a different jersey next season after his disappointing playoff series. Orlando, Sacramento, and Cleveland have been rumored as potential Ingram destinations, but following some news yesterday, I believe there is a new franchise in pole position for Ingram's services.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Detroit Pistons have hired Trajan Langdon as their new President of Basketball Operations.
ESPN Sources: The Detroit Pistons have landed on Trajan Langdon to become the franchise’s new President of Basketball Operations and sides are beginning work on a deal for New Orleans’ GM to oversee organization. pic.twitter.com/WlQOifb4jY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 23, 2024
Langdon has spent the last five years building the Pelicans roster alongside President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. Now, he'll be the lead decision maker in the Motor City.
Langon was not employed by New Orleans when they landed Brandon Ingram as a key piece in the Anthony Davis trade. However, the rapport between the two and the potential fit in Detroit has folks connecting the dots.
Detroit is in desperate need of a scoring wing. Cade Cunningham has shown potential as an upper-echelon lead guard, and Jalen Duren has a nice future in the paint, but there is opportunity for a scorer to come in and become the focal point of the Pistons offense.
Enter Brandon Ingram.
A potential deal involving the Pistons fifth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and Jaden Ivey would work financially as Detroit has oodles of cap space to absorb Ingram's current contract and his potential extension next offseason.
Ingram feels like a grizzled veteran, and he his, but he'll only be 27-years-old when next season tips off. Wing scoring is at a premium in the modern NBA, and Ingram can bring exactly that to Detroit for a team who needs it in spades. If Trajan Langdon wants to bring any Pelicans north with him, Ingram may be at the top of the list.