THE The New Orleans Pelicans are still the subject of many rumors in the NBA. Brandon Ingram is clearly not happy with the franchise and the Pelicans would probably like to trade him.
However, they are not going to give Ingram away for free. The right trade has not been offered yet. However, if such a deal is offered, they would likely be quick to make a move.
One team that has emerged as a potential trade contender for Ingram is the Miami Heat.
Bleacher Report recently named four potential trade partners regarding Ingram. The Heat was the first team mentioned on their list.
With Jimmy Butler’s future with the franchise uncertain, they believe Ingram could be the future face of the franchise for Miami.
“Of course, Ingram isn’t on track to become the next Butler. Far from it. And Miami could reasonably believe that Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyler Herro would eventually replace their current superstar. But adding Ingram could give those two a little more breathing room. With his mid-range attack, decent playmaking and theoretical ability to transition from one defensive assignment to another, Ingram could be a sort of C+ or B- version of Butler.”
Ingram would make a potential divorce between the Heat and Butler a lot less painful. From an offensive standpoint, he would immediately become their most talented option.
During the 2023–24 NBA season, Ingram played in 64 games. He averaged 20.8 points per game, along with 5.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds. Ingram shot 49.2% overall and made 35.5% of his three-point attempts.
At 26, Ingram would be a great long-term pick for whoever acquires him. A trade would likely come with a costly contract extension. That kind of move would make sense for Miami.
Pat Riley has always been open to the idea of being very aggressive. This kind of move would suit him perfectly.
That being said, Ingram will be a name to watch very closely in the coming weeks. He could start the season in New Orleans, but he would then become a very popular candidate for trade rumors before the trade deadline.
Expect to hear rumors and speculation about Ingram. For now, he’s with the Pelicans, but that could change at any time.