The 2024-25 NBA season is fast approaching. In this context, teams are running out of time to make changes to their rosters. One team to watch could be the The New Orleans Pelicans.
Coming into the offseason, Brandon Ingram was expected to be traded. At this point in the offseason, he is still with the Pelicans.
Even if the two sides could come together and negotiate an extension, it seems likely that New Orleans would still be open to a potential trade if the right one came along.
In this spirit, Bleacher Report suggested the Pelicans might consider a blockbuster trade with the Denver Nuggets.
In their proposed trade, New Orleans would send Ingram to the Nuggets in exchange for Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji and a top-five protected 2031 first-round pick.
Porter would be a very good replacement for Ingram if this trade were to happen.
During the 2023–24 NBA season with Denver, Porter finished with an average of 16.7 points per game, along with 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He shot 48.4 percent overall and connected on 39.7 percent of his three-point attempts.
Ingram, on the other hand, averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from three-point range.
It’s clear the Pelicans would lose some scoring potential. But they would gain a much better three-point shot that could fit better alongside Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum.
Nnaji wouldn’t have much of an impact outside of his role as a depth player if New Orleans kept him. Adding a future first-round pick would be very valuable in trade discussions or for adding young talent later.
That being said, this is pure speculation and there have been no reports that the two teams have had these trade discussions.
While it’s unlikely that this trade will ever come to fruition, it’s an interesting idea. The Nuggets would form a deadly “Big Three” with Ingram, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. They might be interested.
It seems likely at this point that Ingram will start the season with the Pelicans. However, that could change as soon as a team comes along with the right trade offer.
