As things get closer to the start of training camp for the The New Orleans PelicansThere are still many rumors about their star striker Brandon Ingram.
He’s been one of the most talked about players in trade rumors over the past few months, as he appears to be arguably the best NBA player potentially available.
The Pelicans reportedly aren’t willing to sign Ingram at the maximum price he wants, which has helped fuel trade rumors and create some unease between the forward and the franchise.
For New Orleans, with Ingram currently on the roster, they should be a playoff team once again this season. The addition of Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks gives the Pelicans another talented player and creates a nice trio with Ingram and Zion Williamson.
However, the possibility that he will be traded at some point this season is certainly there.
Recently, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus named Ingram as a realistic target for the Houston Rockets depending on the package offered.
“The New Orleans Pelicans would part ways with Brandon Ingram, but the Rockets wouldn’t give up someone like Alperen Şengün to get him. Would Jalen Green and filler contracts make sense for Houston? Is Green, who is expected to sign a significant extension this offseason, the right fit for the Pelicans? If not, the Rockets might need a third team to make a deal.”
The possibility of trading Ingram to the Rockets in a Jalen Green-centric deal would be intriguing.
On paper, Green fits well in New Orleans, as he could help space the floor from the guard position, however, the ideal return for Ingram would likely come in the form of a center, and with Houston unlikely to part ways with Alperen Şengun, who is emerging as one of the best young centers in the league, this deal may not make sense for the Pelicans.
Still, the Rockets appear to be a team ready to take a step forward this season after a strong 2023-24 campaign, so adding a player of Ingram’s caliber would help them immensely if the price is right.
While New Orleans may not want to trade him within the conference, a deal with Houston could provide value to both teams.
