Trade Proposal Sends Brandon Ingram To Cavaliers, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert To Pelicans

One NBA analyst proposed that the New Orleans Pelicans trade Brandon Ingram to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the mock trade. 

Trade idea: The New Orleans Pelicans trade Brandon Ingram and a 2025 first-round pick (top-three-protected, via LAL) to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert

“It’s felt like Ingram would be the next trade domino to drop, but the fact he’s still in the Crescent City highlights how tricky it’s been to find a match on the trade market,” Buckley wrote in his NBA trade article. “Unless, of course, you consider Allen as a realistic option, even though the Cavaliers insist they aren’t splitting up their core.

“Still, Cleveland has experienced the playoff limitations of the non-shooting Allen-Evan Mobley frontcourt combo. Plus, it still hasn’t found that difference-maker it’s needed on the wing for years. This maybe isn’t a perfect match, but it’s as close as you’ll find for Ingram in the current market.

“The Pelicans ‘have kept tabs on [Allen] for years,’ per The Athletic’s William Guillory. Allen’s defense and athleticism could shine alongside Zion Williamson. Plus, New Orleans would bring back a perimeter shot-creator in LeVert to help offset some of the scoring lost with Ingram’s subtraction.”

Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Pelicans in 2023-24 while shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line.

Allen averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.1 blocks for the Cavaliers while shooting 63.4% from the field and 74.2% from the free-throw line.

Finally, LeVert averaged 14.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Cavaliers while shooting 42.1% from the field, 32.5% from 3 and 76.6% from the foul line.

The Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in five games, while the Pelicans lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round in four games. 

Ingram is in the final year of his contract. He’ll make $36 million in 2024-25. 

Allen has two years and $40 million left on his contract, while LeVert will make $16.6 million next season in the final year of his deal.