The Miami Heat made the 2023 NBA Finals behind Jimmy Butler’s leadership but fell short and lost to the Denver Nuggets in five games. There is no doubt that the biggest issue for the team was their lack of consistent shot creation outside of Jimmy Butler, and it was clear that their offense suffered due to that.
If the team wants to have a legitimate chance of winning a championship, they need to acquire another star that can score at a high level. One of the players that the Heat should target is New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram: he is a do-it-all forward offensively, and in theory, he should be able to be acquired more easily due to him only having two more years on his deal. Here is a potential trade framework that sends Brandon Ingram to the Miami Heat.
Miami Heat Receive: Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA)
This trade could potentially have benefits for both teams involved, and there are good reasons for each team to follow through with this move. Here is why the Heat and the Pelicans should discuss a trade centered around Brandon Ingram.
Miami Heat Acquire Their Star For The Now And The Future
Brandon Ingram would seemingly be the perfect player to take the Miami Heat to the next level. He is a borderline complete offensive wing: this season, Ingram averaged 24.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 5.8 APG for the New Orleans Pelicans, while shooting 48.4% from the field and 39.0% from 3PT range. He is a legitimate three-level scorer, with the midrange area being a particular strength of his. In theory, Ingram would thrive on the Miami Heat as the No. 1 or No. 2 scoring option, and he could definitely give them another tough bucket-getter when it comes to the closing moments of the game. Having another go-to offensive option is crucial for the Miami Heat to improve as a team, and this trade would give them just that.
To get Brandon Ingram, the Miami Heat would likely have to move young guard Tyler Herro as the centerpiece of the package. The goal would likely be to keep Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and thus Tyler Herro would be the odd man out. The Heat would have to include Caleb Martin in this deal as well, and one first-round pick as the draft compensation required.
This deal would help the Miami Heat win immediately, as Brandon Ingram would immediately increase their talent level. However, they would also get some flexibility for the future as Jimmy Butler ages. They can build around Brandon Ingram and Bam Adebayo going forward, which is a solid duo to have long-term. Overall, this trade is a no-brainer deal for the Miami Heat on many levels, and it’ll be interesting to see if they target Ingram in the future.
New Orleans Pelicans Get A Package And Build Around Zion Williamson
Stars on expiring contracts generally don’t get a good return when it comes to trades, and perhaps it would be wise for the New Orleans Pelicans to think ahead and trade Brandon Ingram right now if they don’t believe he will sign an extension with the franchise to get better value in a deal.
Tyler Herro is obviously the main draw of this package, and the guard averaged 20.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 4.2 APG for the Miami Heat this past season while shooting 37.8% from the 3PT range. He and CJ McCollum would form a dynamic offensive backcourt, and he would likely be a good fit with Zion Williamson due to his ability to play well off-ball.
The New Orleans Pelicans would also get Caleb Martin and the 2027 first-round pick from the Miami Heat in this deal. Caleb Martin is a solid two-way role player, who was notably a huge part of the Heat’s victory over the Boston Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. Meanwhile, the pick could be used to pick a draft prospect in the future or be included in another move.
Overall, this deal is about the New Orleans Pelicans getting solid value for their star, rather than continue letting the potential trade return deteriorate. This would definitely be an appealing package for them, which would allow them to remain competitive.
This Trade Could Be A Win-Win Proposition For Both Teams
There is no doubt that for the Miami Heat, this deal could be a game-changer in terms of where they rank as a contender in the Eastern Conference. As of right now specifically, the Eastern Conference seems wide open, and adding Brandon Ingram could be the move that takes the Miami Heat over the top. A big three featuring Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Brandon Ingram would be one of the best in the league. While they wouldn’t necessarily be the favorites to win the championship, they would definitely be among the top contenders for the title.
For the New Orleans Pelicans, this deal would allow them to stay competitive while getting a long-term player to pair with Zion Williamson in Tyler Herro. They would also be able to improve their 3PT shooting with the acquisition of Caleb Martin, which was an issue for them last season.
Though there have been no direct links between Brandon Ingram and the Miami Heat as of late, they would definitely be a good trade destination for him. He has clearly grown as a player during his time with the New Orleans Pelicans, and now it is time for him to go to a team that can truly contend for championships. The Miami Heat fit the bill, and we’ll see whether Brandon Ingram ends up on the Miami Heat at some point in the future.
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