The Atlanta Hawks opened the season with a 120-116 win over the Brooklyn Nets, with the franchise looking well-placed to be one of the top-eight teams in the East once again. Unfortunately, the Hawks’ struggles with becoming a top-six team in the Conference will likely continue given the absence of an offensive co-star next to Trae Young. While many expect the team to consolidate into rebuilding, I believe this is the time to make a win-now move.
Brandon Ingram reminded the New Orleans Pelicans that he can be one of the most valuable players on their squad after a 33-point performance in a 123-111 win over the Chicago Bulls. That doesn’t change the fact that the Pelicans are hesitant to commit their future to Ingram, who is on a $36 million expiring contract and hits free agency next season.
With multiple offensive contributors on the Pelicans and a talented forward line waiting for more opportunities, it might be the right move to trade Ingram to the Hawks this season.
Trade Details
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Brandon Ingram, Jordan Hawkins
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Clint Capela, DeAndre Hunter, 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL)
This trade is more likely to be made towards the deadline given the situations both franchises are in. But this trade will be more relevant to both franchises when they have had more time to evaluate their form and realistic contending chance. Given what both teams are projected to achieve this season, a winter trade like this is likely.
The Atlanta Hawks Get A Co-Star For A Playoff Push
The Hawks cannot afford to tank in the coming seasons given they still owe picks to the San Antonio Spurs from their acquisition of Dejounte Murray in 2022. While Murray was traded to the Pelicans in a different deal this summer, the Hawks are still clearly aiming to be a win-now franchise, with Ingram being the perfect addition to push them over the top if they’re on the outside looking in for the No. 6 seed battle.
Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last season, opening this season with a 33-point performance against the Bulls. He’s a talented scorer with good passing instincts who could fit in the flow of the offense on the Hawks next to a dynamic point guard like Trae Young. Ingram is capable of playing off-ball and has made defensive improvements over recent seasons.
Jordan Hawkins is a talented future guard option who could be a long-term replacement for Bogdan Bogdanovic as a talented shooter himself. Putting Ingram and Trae together would create a fearsome offensive duo who can play together, while players like Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu can create a defensive foundation so their stars can thrive.
The Pelicans Even Their Roster Out
The reality of the Pelicans’ situation is that they only want to retain Ingram if it’s a contract that enables them to have flexibility in the future. With Ingram looking to maximize a payday, he could be one of the only major free agent targets available next offseason. Instead of losing Ingram like how the Dallas Mavericks lost Jalen Brunson, they could trade him right now to maximize value, albeit later in the season.
The Pelicans need Ingram’s production due to injuries to Dejounte Murray and the recently extended Trey Murphy III, while they can also afford to let rookie Yves Missi play at center through the first few months of the season.
As the Playoffs approach, Clint Capela would be a solid option as a full-time center, averaging 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last season. He’s on a $22.2 million expiring contract himself, so the Pelicans could decide to move on easily and give Missi a sophomore shot at being the franchise’s center.
DeAndre Hunter would be an admirable addition to the Pelicans forward core alongside Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III. Hunter averaged 15.6 points and 3.9 rebounds last season, proving to be a competent two-way option for a contender. He might have to fight for a starting position but could be impactful off the bench as well.
Maximizing Assets And Building Contenders
It would be wasteful for the Pelicans to over-commit on a massive contract to Ingram or let him walk for free, so it’s best to send him to a franchise where he can earn that contract while elevating them to contention. Ingram’s value is up-and-down due to his streaky play, but this would make sense for the Hawks given it also allows them to open up more minutes and a bigger role for players like Okongwu and Johnson.
Trusting a center rotation of a rookie and Daniel Theis would be silly for the Pelicans given the talent atop the West, so adding a bruising option like Clint Capela would be greatly beneficial to them without long-term attachments due to his expiring contract. The Hawks also can leverage the Pelicans’ need for a center to offer them a player package that would be more compelling than picks for the franchise.
This is a deal that can elevate both franchises, provided the timing is right for them to take this plunge.
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