The Houston Rockets have started the 2024-25 NBA season with a 3-2 record and might need to make some roster changes to take a step forward and become a playoff team. Even if the franchise is reportedly not looking to make a major trade for a star, this is the NBA and we see plans change rather quickly, especially for a Rockets team lacking that go-to star. They could target Brandon Ingram, an All-Star talent who brings scoring, playmaking, and size to the wing.
The New Orleans Pelicans have tried to shift the roster to become competitive by bringing Dejounte Murray, but the franchise might be interested in moving on from Ingram to focus their core on Zion Williamson. We propose a mock trade that could see Brandon Ingram join the Houston Rockets and break it down for each team by providing a grade.
Potential Trade Details
Houston Rockets Receive: Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Jabari Smith Jr., Dillon Brooks, Cam Whitmore, 2027 First-Round Pick (PHO), 2029 First-Round Pick (HOU)
Houston Rockets Create A Talented Big Three To Push For A Playoff Spot
The Houston Rockets have been mired in a rebuild for years, but acquiring Brandon Ingram could immediately elevate them into playoff contention. Ingram, an All-Star wing, brings a unique skill set the Rockets have been missing—elite scoring with defensive versatility and playmaking ability. This season, Ingram is averaging 23.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, which provides Houston with the kind of reliable secondary scorer they currently lack. Slotting Ingram beside Jalen Green (27.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG) and Alperen Sengun (15.2 PPG, 12.4 RPG) gives Houston a promising offensive trio, with each player capable of creating their own shot, facilitating for others, and keeping defenses honest.
Adding Ingram allows Houston to solidify its identity on offense, moving beyond isolation-heavy sets and limited spacing. With Green’s explosiveness and Sengun’s playmaking from the center, Ingram could thrive as a secondary initiator and help Green focus more on attacking without the ball, thus maximizing each player’s skill set. Moreover, with Ime Udoka’s defensive coaching, Ingram’s 6’8″ frame and wingspan will fit perfectly into Houston’s switchable defensive schemes, especially alongside versatile defenders like Amen Thompson and Tari Eason. A high-functioning offense and dynamic defense could make this new-look Rockets team difficult to contain and offer a real shot at securing a playoff spot.
While giving up Jabari Smith Jr. and Cam Whitmore is a tough pill to swallow for Houston’s front office, the immediate impact of an established All-Star may justify the cost. Smith Jr. has shown potential as a floor-spacing big, and Whitmore has intriguing upside, but Houston’s timeline could accelerate with Ingram’s proven track record and complementary style. With his experience, Ingram would provide leadership to a young squad hungry for success, signaling Houston’s commitment to fast-tracking their rebuild into a playoff push.
New Orleans Pelicans Re-Tool Around Zion Williamson And Dejounte Murray
For the Pelicans, this trade represents a pivot toward building around Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray as the team’s cornerstones. While Brandon Ingram has been an essential part of New Orleans’ recent success, his skill set overlaps with Williamson’s in some ways, and this trade could free up more offensive opportunities for Zion to dominate the paint. Acquiring Jabari Smith Jr. gives the Pelicans a versatile young forward with immense upside; his defensive prowess and three-point shooting potential would complement Williamson and create better spacing, allowing Zion to operate with fewer defenders in his path.
Cam Whitmore adds to this re-tooling by bringing athleticism and scoring potential that could develop alongside Williamson and Murray. Although he’s still raw, Whitmore’s talent was widely regarded before the draft, and New Orleans has the player development resources to bring him along in a role that allows him to grow without immediate pressure. Dillon Brooks, meanwhile, could serve as an experienced, defensive-minded wing who would provide grit and depth to the Pelicans’ rotation after posting 12.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. While Brooks’ shot selection has been criticized, his defense is reliable, which could alleviate some of the load on Murray to guard opposing perimeter players.
However, losing Ingram’s playmaking and shot creation will leave a gap the Pelicans need to address, particularly in crunch-time situations. While the incoming picks are valuable, they won’t yield immediate contributors, which may slow New Orleans’ playoff ambitions. Yet, this trade ultimately allows the Pelicans to build a balanced, younger supporting cast around Williamson and Murray, establishing a future-focused roster capable of developing in sync with their stars.
What Grade Does This Trade Get?
Houston Rockets: A-
For the Rockets, this trade would be a bold but calculated move, netting them an established talent who can drive their ambitions to make the playoffs. Houston is not only adding Ingram’s scoring but also a player who fills multiple needs. Ingram’s ability to play both on and off the ball will relieve some of the pressure on Jalen Green to initiate every possession, creating a smoother offensive flow and encouraging ball movement. Ingram has also proven his durability, a critical factor as Houston builds a cohesive core. However, the cost of Jabari Smith Jr. and Cam Whitmore does come with risk, as both players have high upside and could develop into key pieces. Nonetheless, the Rockets’ young core already has considerable depth, making this trade an acceptable loss given the potential immediate gains.
New Orleans Pelicans: C+
The Pelicans’ grade reflects both the opportunity and the risk of this deal. On one hand, Jabari Smith Jr. brings defensive versatility and a skill set that could complement Zion Williamson. However, losing a player of Ingram’s caliber means New Orleans is shifting from proven success to potential. While Smith and Whitmore offer promise, they lack Ingram’s experience and All-Star-level performance, which could create growing pains for a team eager to compete now. The added draft picks are enticing long-term assets, but the timeline for their impact doesn’t match Williamson’s prime, which places some urgency on New Orleans’ remaining roster to step up. Therefore, while this trade could benefit New Orleans in the future, it doesn’t maximize the team’s current potential as much as retaining Ingram might.
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