The Los Angeles Lakers can make a bold move in the NBA offseason by trading for Brandon Ingram, a young and talented forward from the New Orleans Pelicans. This move sets the stage for the Lakers to potentially create a superteam with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Ingram, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, has shown flashes of brilliance during his time in the league. He has a unique combination of size, athleticism, and skill, making him a versatile player on both ends of the court. This season, Ingram posted 24.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 5.8 APG on 48.4% FG, 39.0% 3-PT FG, and 88.2% FT, which are elite numbers for any NBA star.
With the Lakers, he will have the opportunity to play alongside two of the best players today, which could help him reach his full potential. If the Lakers are able to create a superteam with James, Davis, and Ingram, they could become one of the most dominant teams in the NBA. The trio would have the talent, experience, and leadership to compete for championships for years to come depending on LeBron James’ retirement decision. To get this done, a massive trade package will have to be offered. We have already seen how the Lakers can possibly create a superteam in a deal with the Dallas Mavericks, but in case that does not go through, a trade for Brandon Ingram is a more than suitable backup plan.
Here are the trade details that will net the Lakers an All-Star forward to create a Big Three with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Despite losing two youngsters, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, it could be necessary for the Lakers to go all-in as long as James is on the roster.
Lakers Land Brandon Ingram In A Blockbuster Trade
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: D’Angelo Russell (Sign and Trade), Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, 2029 First-Round Pick
With this massive trade in place, here is why this package works well for the Lakers specifically while also giving the New Orleans Pelicans a new look, as they hope Zion Williamson gets back to the court as soon as possible.
The Lakers Create A Big Three And Win The 2024 NBA Championship
The Los Angeles Lakers can make a huge splash in the NBA offseason by trading for Brandon Ingram and creating a Big Three with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This move has the potential to make the Lakers a championship favorite in the upcoming season. After losing in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers needed a third star to add to James and Davis against a top-tier side in the Denver Nuggets. Since Ingram is making over $33 million per season until the 2024-25 season, he will also take up the salary that would end up getting paid to Reaves and Hachimura, who are both not on Ingram’s level.
The addition of Brandon Ingram to the Lakers’ roster brings a versatile and dynamic player to the team. Ingram is a skilled scorer who can create his own shot and is also a solid defender at 6’8” tall. He has shown tremendous growth in his game over the past few seasons and has the potential to make even more All-Star appearances in the near future. With his length and athleticism, Ingram can play multiple positions and provide the Lakers with a much-needed boost on both ends of the court.
Secondly, the combination of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Brandon Ingram creates a formidable Big Three that can dominate opponents. LeBron James is one of the greatest players of all time and has proven time and again that he can lead a team to a championship. Anthony Davis is a dominant force on both ends of the court and is one of the best big men in the league. With the addition of Ingram, the Lakers now have three players who can create their own shots and score from anywhere on the court. This will make it difficult for opposing teams to defend against the Lakers’ offense.
Even when losing Reaves and Hachimura, who are players the Lakers value highly, the prospect of adding Ingram could be too good to ignore. The starting lineup of Dennis Schroder, Brandon Ingram, LeBron James, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Anthony Davis is a far better lineup than what the Lakers fielded on the court this season. Overall, the Lakers’ trade for Brandon Ingram and the creation of a Big Three with LeBron James and Anthony Davis has the potential to make them a championship favorite in the upcoming season. With a talented and versatile roster, the Lakers have the pieces in place to compete with the best teams in the league.
New Orleans Pelicans Head Into A Different Direction
The New Orleans Pelicans have been in a rebuilding phase since the departure of Anthony Davis, and trading Brandon Ingram could be a key move in their continued development. In exchange for Ingram, the Pelicans would receive D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura, all of whom are young players with the potential to grow and contribute to the team’s success. Of course, along with Zion Williamson, the Pelicans can field a very solid starting lineup.
Russell, in particular, has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career and could be a valuable addition to the Pelicans’ backcourt. He has proven himself as a capable scorer and playmaker and could form a dynamic duo with Zion Williamson, who is already one of the most exciting young players in the league. Russell averaged 17.8 PPG and 6.2 APG at 27 years old, making him a long-term solution at point guard.
Reaves and Hachimura are both promising young players who could provide depth and versatility to the Pelicans’ roster. Reaves is a skilled shooter and defender, while Hachimura is a versatile forward who can play multiple positions and contribute in a variety of ways. Reaves had a breakout season posting 16.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.6 APG in the playoffs and could be on his way to big-time money this summer. The same goes for Hachimura, who is only 25 years old and has a few years to hit his prime. The starting lineup of D’Angelo Russell, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Zion Williamson, and Jonas Valanciunas, with Reaves and Hachimura off the bench, would be a very solid rotation going forward.
Overall, this trade would give the Pelicans a solid foundation of young talent to build around while also providing them with the flexibility to continue making moves in the future. While it may take some time for these players to fully develop and reach their potential, the Pelicans would be well-positioned to compete in the Western Conference for years to come.
The Los Angeles Lakers Are Coming For The Top Teams In The West
Overall, a trade of this magnitude would form a superteam in the Western Conference and also give the New Orleans Pelicans a new direction. The Lakers needed a third star this postseason to help out 38-year-old LeBron James and an injury-prone Anthony Davis, and Brandon Ingram could be the answer for the franchise going forward. The top title-contending teams, such as the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Golden State Warriors, all have multiple players who are All-Star-worthy, so the Lakers need another star player to gain the upper hand.
Ingram was a former Lakers player, and he has a chance to return to Los Angeles and prove the franchise needs him after swapping him (and others) for superstar Anthony Davis. The Lakers ended up winning the 2019-20 NBA title with Davis as the team’s best scorer, so it was the right move at the time, but now the franchise needs a player of Ingram’s caliber. Trading for Ingram would essentially mean James stays in Los Angeles for at least another season or two, along with Davis, and if they win the title next year, it could be a longer-term situation.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans need more bodies around Zion Williamson, and depth on the perimeter and forward positions could be the key to pushing the franchise into a new era. Missing the NBA playoffs this season was not a great sign for the future, although Zion’s absence is the major reason why. By adding three young players under the age of 28, the Pelicans can build a very solid roster that can make the postseason and also start improving with the hopes of becoming a contender in the Western Conference.Â
