A Brandon Ingram reunion makes sense for Lakers

We're only a quarter of the way through the 2024-25 NBA season, and the Los Angeles Lakers are already flirting with a crisis. In their last outing, they were picked apart by the Miami Heat, losing 134-93 on Wednesday. 

The Lakers need some fresh blood. Things have gotten too stale. Worst of all, there doesn't appear to be any unity within the rotation. Fresh competition could help galvanize the roster and bring the best out of everyone.

According to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, the Lakers may not look to bring Brandon Ingram back to Los Angeles. But given the history, it would make sense for the Lakers to reunite with Ingram. 

Los Angeles originally drafted Ingram with the second overall pick in the 2016 draft, and he has been viewed as a trade candidate for the New Orleans Pelicans. 

“Ingram's first NBA franchise is indeed whispered often by scouts as a potential destination for the next Ingram trade, but I haven't been give any indication that the Lakers are looking to pursue him now," Fischer reported via The Stein Line Newsletter. "All credible signals circulating about the Lakers suggest that L.A. is looking to fortify its frontcourt and add perimeter defense to assist LeBron James and Anthony Davis.” 

Ingram would bring fresh competition to the Lakers roster. He has proven capable of operating as a secondary and tertiary star during his tenure with the Pelicans. Furthermore, he's already experienced the pressure that comes with wearing a Lakers jersey. At 27 years old, he could also help lead a roster rebuild if the front office decides to hit the reset button in the near future.

The Lakers need more talent. Ingram is reportedly available and would come at an affordable price. Rob Pelinka doesn't have too many trade assets at his disposal, either. As such, Ingram and Los Angeles could be a perfect situational match. However, the Lakers would need a verbal commitment that he will re-sign in the summer. He is currently in the final year of his five-year $158 million deal. 

Sooner or later, the Lakers will need to begin re-tooling their squad. Ingram can be someone who makes an immediate impact and spearheads the early years of the team's rebuild. If he's available and there's interest from both sides, a trade would be a logical move.