The New Orleans Pelicans must upgrade their roster this offseason. It will take some bold moves and could mean upsetting fans. They are coming off a first-round playoff exit, and their roster is not strong enough to compete with the best teams in the loaded Western Conference. Lead executive David Griffin vowed to make changes (subscription required), and fans should expect them to come quickly.
The Pels are shopping Brandon Ingram. He is an elite scorer, but the fit next to Zion Williamson is not right. The All-Star is in his prime and entering the final year of his contract. New Orleans does not want to make him a max player. They must move on now to maximize their return, but trading a star and staying in contention won’t be easy.
For fans who are skeptical about the franchise trading Ingram, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes made a bold claim on the All-Star’s future in the Big Easy. Here is a look at his quote and more on where Ingram might land.
Chris Haynes expects Brandon Ingram to be traded this offseason
Haynes pulled no punches. New Orleans must extend or trade the 26-year-old. Ingram wants more than the Pelicans are willing to offer, and Haynes said this about the prospect of BI being traded this offseason.
"Definitely a name that I expect to be moved by the summer. Where? Don’t know as of right now, but I’ve heard of some teams that have inquired."
Haynes doubled down on that remark and clarified that he thinks Ingram will be traded before training camp.
It should not be surprising, but hearing the insider be definitive should let fans know Ingram has played his last game with the Pelicans. The only question is where does he land?
Brandon Ingram will have several suitors on the trade market
The 76ers are the first franchise that jumps to mind. Daryl Morey wants to add a third star this summer. Philly has cap space and draft picks to trade. They are searching for a wing capable of pairing with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Ingram certainly offers size, scoring, and playmaking. The odds increased with a recent rumor, but the Sixers are not the only franchise with interest.
The Rockets want a star player. Cleveland may try to shake things up this offseason, and surprise suitors could jump in at any moment. Finding a 6’8 wing capable of dropping 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists every night is not easy. Multiple teams looking to contend will, at minimum, gauge the asking price for the All-Star.
The offseason is just heating up, and the New Orleans Pelicans figure to be active and aggressive. It may start before the draft on June 26 and will spill into free agency on June 30. David Griffin needs to get things right and build out their roster. Stay tuned to see what he makes happen because it will certainly alter the franchise for years to come.