The odds are on the Lakers again
The Lakers are currently the favourite to land Brandon Ingram from the Pelicans and so I decided to make a mock trade for it. This will also see Robert Williams go to the Lakers also to open up more of a role for the already impressive rookie Donovan Clingan.
Why do the Lakers seemingly go all-in?
For the Lakers this almost feels like a no brainer. You get an offensive player who can do everything on the offensive end of the floor at an all-star level production and who isn't a terrible defender because of size. He's also a good playmaker for someone who can score as well as him. Though the stats should be taken with a pinch of salt given where the Pels find themselves, BI is averaging 23/5/5 and yet his efficiency isn't great but that's because he's averaging the most 3 point shots attempted per game in his career and getting to the line a whole lot less. This to me isn't a concern given how injured the Pels have been. He is also contributing 30% of the Pelicans assists this year and led them in that same stat last year.
Robert Williams comes in to simply to help the Lakers defence, to allow AD to run the 4 man spot more and give the Lakers more presence down low.
They get off negatives in Russell and Max Christie who haven't been good this season, they won't miss JHS or Wood much at all and they replace Rui with a more versatile, a better scorer of the ball and a better playmaking forward. The Lakers when healthy only have 8 players deserving of minutes for where they are at and with this trade they get better quality wise and keep key defensive guys like Cam Reddish and Vando.
The picks won't matter as long as they can give BI what he wants and aslong as this extends the AD-LeBron championship window. I think this is the perfect third star they can get for a reasonable price.
The Pelicans start.... selling?
Chris Paul, Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson. 2 generational players and a third guy who could easily could have been as well if only the NOP knew how to build good, winning rosters around them.
I think it's time for the front office to break up the Zion-BI led Pels before they do what the Bulls did and stagnate over time to become very mediocre. The market for a guy receiving 36 million dollars with no guarantee of getting him to resign is not very huge and they can only do so much.
They receive Rui, a nice piece within any winning rotation but the Pelicans are like that right now so they should be happy with someone who is very efficiently putting the ball in the basket and try get his value up even more to throw into some further trade packages.
Christian Wood finally gives them some actual center depth because rookie Yves Missi can't do it all on his own. He's also on an expiring deal yet if he comes back to give them nice production I don't think they'd mind extending his stay during the off season.
Max Christie is there to hopefully develop into the player the Lakers were hoping he'd become. A great defensive wing who can create his own shot yet so far that hasn't even looked like being close to the truth. At worst they can hopefully add him to any future deals to acquire pieces for the next cycle amongst this organisation.
It's not all doom and gloom however as they'd accumulate 2 unprotected Lakers first round picks. These could very much turn into high lottery picks, especially that 2029 one. These also provide more value given the context of the Lakers have no more tradeable first round picks to add to their rosters in the near future.
Why add the Blazers?
I added the Blazers because they've been underwhelming to me at the very least and I think it's time for a few things. Yes their record has them ABOVE the Pelicans in the Western Conference yet I feel like this time to get of Robert Williams.
This is because please for the love of God allow Clingan to be the starting center. Robert Williams is a very good center when healthy yet from Portland's point of view, you shouldn't want really good but instead want to maximise the growth you can get with Clingan in just his rookie campaign.
D'Angelo Russell is an expiring contract and will open up the idea of trading off Simons. Anfernee Simons could very much go to any buyers within the next few months and give them good scoring production and while I think highly of him, my opinions shouldn't agree with what he has done so far this season 16/4 on 30 minutes a night and just shooting 40% from the field and a very poor 30% from 3 will have his value quietly plummet so I think it's a good time to get off from him and give Shaedon Sharpe his role. For Russell all he would have to do is come of the bench and try get his stock up for free agency as he won't be on any team after this seasons over
Overall
Overall, I think this move can help everyone in various circumstances. The Lakers get better on both ends of the court, Pelicans start a much needed firesale to avoid becoming mid and the Blazers FINALLY trust their young guys enough.
Please lead your feedback in the comments and tell me what you'd do as a fan of any of these teams.