Hawks favored to trade for Pelicans' Brandon Ingram over Magic
05/05/2024 01:18
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram finds himself in trade rumors after a challenging playoff run. The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Pelicans in the first round. There are many reasons why New Orleans came up short, but some believe parting ways with Ingram would help the team. Thus, the Atlanta Hawks are favored to land Ingram amid odds from teams like the Orlando Magic trading for the star forward.
At +300, the Hawks have the highest odds to acquire Brandon Ingram via trade, if the Pelicans were to call it quits with the star, per BetOnline. The Magic have the next highest odds at +500 followed by the Sacramento Kings (+600) and Cleveland Cavaliers (+700).
Ingram suffered an untimely injury towards the end of the regular season that hampered his rhythm in the playoffs. Nevertheless, the star forward returned and provided stout offensive production. He scored 24 points in New Orleans’ pivotal NBA Play-In tournament victory over the Kings.
When it came time for the Thunder series though, Ingram’s play took a slight dip. He averaged 14.2 points throughout the matchup, which was below his regular season average of 20.8 points. Ingram is not the only one to blame for New Orleans’ shortcomings.
The Pelicans lost the services of Zion Williamson after he strained his hamstring in the team’s first Play-In game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Williamson was playing some of the best basketball of his career, highlighted by his 40-point-11-rebound eruption against LA.
Brandon Ingram should return strong in 2024-25 alongside a healthy Williamson; however, a trade could halt his plans. If Ingram is dealt to the Hawks, would he be a good fit?
What Brandon Ingram provides the Hawks
Ingram is one of the best offensive players in the league. He knows how to get to his spots, and once he warms up, he is hard to stop. Ingram’s mid-range game is a nightmare for opposing defenses. Furthermore, Ingram can stretch the floor respectably. He shot 35.5 percent on three-pointers in 2023-24.
The star forward would certainly boost Atlanta, but scoring is not the only thing he provides.
Ingram can function as a secondary playmaker and has the physical tools necessary to defend multiple positions. He comes off a season where he averaged 5.7 assists per game, just .1 less than his career-high. Moreover, at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Ingram is a tough defender to score on.
The Hawks could play Ingram at small forward or power forward to complement their talented backcourt. Although, some of Atlanta’s backcourt could be included in a trade for the star forward.
Trae Young and Dejounte Murray were swarmed with rumors ahead of the 2024 NBA trade deadline. The Hawks have had two middling seasons in a row, and some fans and analysts believe it is time for a change.
A trade for Brandon Ingram could send one of Murray or Young to the Pelicans with draft picks or role players involved as well.
All in all, Ingram may have had a down postseason series, but he is still highly valuable. Will he find himself in Hawks, Magic, or other NBA jerseys by the Fall of 2024?
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