‘Blockbuster’ Trade Proposal Sends Brandon Ingram To Cavaliers, Jarrett Allen And Caris LeVert To Pelicans

One NBA writer proposed that the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans make a trade with each other this summer. 

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Cavaliers and Pelicans:

Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Brandon Ingram and Jordan Hawkins from the New Orleans Pelicans for Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert

The Cavaliers have been linked to Ingram as a potential trade target, while the Pelicans have been linked to Allen. 

“For the Cavs, dealing Allen would constitute a partial reset,” Hughes wrote. “In this hypothetical, Donovan Mitchell would stay on the team at least through the 2025 trade deadline alongside Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. The main difference: Mobley would move to a full-time gig at the 5, improving spacing that Ingram could explore as a secondary scorer. This version of the Cavs would be fundamentally different from the ‘two-big, two-small’ one we’ve watched since Mitchell arrived.

“Mitchell and Garland’s lack of size presents defensive challenges. Swapping out Allen for Ingram could exacerbate those by removing a rim-protector and rebounder from the floor. But it also appears clear that the Cavs were held back most—during the regular season and playoffs—by their inability to score. Ingram could relieve a great deal of the spacing crunch that produced Cleveland’s No. 18 offensive rating, even if he’s not known as a high-volume three-point shooter.”

Ingram is entering the final year of his contract and there has been speculation that the Pelicans could trade the one-time All-Star this summer. 

Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Pelicans this season while shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line. He is eligible to sign an extension this offseason. 

“With Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones emerging as better fits next to Zion Williamson in New Orleans, the Pelicans can justify swapping out Ingram for a big man who’ll defend the paint and control the boards,” Hughes wrote. “Jonas Valanciunas, last year’s starter, is a free agent and seems unlikely to return. Though Allen won’t space the floor, his mobility and interior presence make him the better shot-altering last-line defender. It should go without saying he’d also be a far superior lob threat compared to the ground-bound Valanciunas.”

Allen has two years and $40 million left on his contract. The Texas product averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.1 blocks this season for the Cavaliers while shooting 63.4% from the field and 74.2% from the free-throw line. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Pelicans in the first round of this year’s playoffs, while the Boston Celtics eliminated the Cavaliers in the second round in five games. 

Allen has career NBA averages of 12.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.3 blocks with the Brooklyn Nets and Cavaliers.

Meanwhile, Ingram has career NBA averages of 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists with the Los Angeles Lakers and Pelicans. He won the 2019-20 Most Improved Player of the Year Award with New Orleans.