NBA GM Floats Idea Of Lakers Acquiring Brandon Ingram From Pelicans

During a conversation with NBA insider Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports, an Eastern Conference general manager floated an idea involving the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans and Brandon Ingram. 

The general manager spoke about the Lakers possibly acquiring Ingram from the Pelicans. 

“It’s an idea, if they’re willing to take the chance,” the East GM said. “Brandon as a third option with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, it certainly makes them better, it gets them back to being a contender, or at least in that orbit.”

The Lakers traded Ingram to the Pelicans in the summer of 2019 in the blockbuster Davis trade. New Orleans is 144-143 with Ingram in the lineup with no playoff series wins. 

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Pelicans are expected to aggressively explore the trade market for Ingram this offseason.

Ingram has one year left on his contract. 

“Sure to be a popular topic in Chicago this coming week as front office executives, scouts, coaches and agents gather for the usual pre-draft frenzy of on-court drills, measurements, scrimmaging and interviews with prospective draftees: A growing belief leaguewide that Pelicans will aggressively explore the trade market for Brandon Ingram before next season,” Stein wrote. “Fit concerns about the games of Ingram, CJ McCollum and star forward Zion Williamson persist in New Orleans despite the Pelicans’ 49-33 record this season. A handful of Eastern Conference teams (Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta and Orlando) have already been mentioned as potential trade suitors for Ingram.”

Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Pelicans this season while shooting 49.2% from the floor, 35.5% from 3 and 80.1% from the free-throw line. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Pelicans in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets beat the Lakers in five games. 

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