The New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat are two teams that desperately need to make some moves this offseason.
Miami failed to make it to the second round of the playoffs after getting to the Finals one year earlier. The Pelicans are in a state of upheaval, and Zion Williamson’s family members reportedly want him out of New Orleans. A potential trade between these two teams could solve both their problems.
And in the case of the Heat, at least, the front office is already in the process of working to make something happen. According to NBA insider Ethan Skolnick, Brandon Ingram to the Heat could be a viable option.
Skolnick said:
“A potential Heat target in trade this offseason would be one Brandon Ingram, who recently signed a contract extension, last year’s Most Improved Player and a player who had issues with Stan [Van Gundy], and also I have heard doesn’t feel he’s a long-term fit with Zion [Williamson].”
“I’ve heard this from a couple of different people. Not that there’s a personality conflict, but it’s just not the best possible fit.”
The first issue Ingram reportedly had with New Orleans is already resolved. Stan Van Gundy is out, and the Pelicans are eyeing their assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon as a candidate for the head-coaching job.
The second issue might also resolve itself, given all the chatter about Williamson wanting out. But if it doesn’t, Ingram might need to be the piece to go. And Miami would be as good of a landing spot as any.
This past season, Ingram averaged 23.8 points per game while hitting 38.1 percent of his threes. In addition, he recorded nearly five assists per outing — proving himself to be a very good ball-handler in the process.
If New Orleans truly needs to let one of either Williamson or Ingram walk, the latter is obviously the way to go. And should that happen, the Heat will no doubt provide a suitable package to make it happen.
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