27. New Orleans Pelicans
Without the services of Zion Williamson, the New Orleans Pelicans season has gone quickly down the tube. It’s clear the team should be tanking the rest of the season, but they should be thinking about how they can upgrade the roster while Williamson is out.
Williamson and Brandon Ingram haven’t been successful when both are healthy and I’ve been a long-time fan of Ingram. With that in mind, I came up with a fake trade that would land Philadelphia 76er the one-time star.
To be clear this is pretty much a swap between Philly and New Orleans, which includes the Pelicans getting a first round pick swap in 2023. To be clear, I don’t think this deal will get done just between two teams due to Simmons’ and Williamson’s poor fit together. I’ve written about how a third team will be needed on three separate occasions.
However, if Ingram did land in Philly he, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid would be a dynamic trio. Ingram can fill the role as a three-level scorer, closer, defender, and playmaker. He fills a lot of holes but it will be hard for the Sixers to land him.