1. New Orleans Pelicans
The clock is ticking for Brandon Ingram and the New Orleans Pelicans. Zion Williamson is already having a thunderous impact on the team and Ingram’s role will only decrease moving forward.
This is unfortunate for a player who broke out as an All-Star as the team’s number one option. Ingram is scorching hot this season, averaging a career-high 24.9 points on 46.9 percent shooting from the floor.
Still, the Pelicans would be better off trading Ingram and pairing Williamson with a dual-threat guard like D’Angelo Russell. Russell’s playmaking and scoring ability could help create an amazing duo alongside Williamson.
As for the Warriors, they would be ecstatic to acquire Ingram. He will never live up to Kevin Durant’s superstar status but there isn’t a much better available replacement for the two-time Finals MVP.
In order to make this trade work financially, the Pelicans would have to give up some more assets. Throwing in J.J. Reddick and E’Twuan Moore will bring depth to the Warriors and make this a home run deal.
Of course, the Warriors would also have to throw in Glenn Robinson III and potentially their upcoming draft pick to make things fair on both accounts. Either way, this is an incredible package for Russell and probably the best one the Warriors could find.