Proposed Trade Sees Heat Acquire Brandon Ingram From Pelicans

“When scanning the list of potential South Beach targets, New Orleans Pelicans swingman Brandon Ingram comes to mind,” Buckley wrote. “He’s the same age as Adebayo (26), and he’s a skilled enough scorer and secondary playmaker to get Miami’s offense, which ranked 21st in efficiency, out of the mud. He could conceivably become available if an early playoff exit propels the Pelicans to rethink the Ingram-Zion Williamson tandem.

“The fact Ingram isn’t a top-tier star also likely helps the Heat, who aren’t overloaded with trade assets. They should have enough for him, though, especially if there are fans of Tyler Herro in the Pelicans front office. A package of Herro, a young player (Nikola Jović or Jaime Jaquez Jr.) and an unprotected future first-round pick should at least merit a call back.”

The Heat could make a blockbuster trade this offseason after failing to acquire Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday last summer. 

“Players want to be a part of that organization,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said. “So I think Miami will be in a position again to use the assets they have to go out and get another All-Star-level player that maybe connects more on the timeline of Bam Adebayo and his age.”

Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Pelicans this season while shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line. The one-time All-Star will make $36 million next season in the final year of his contract. 

Ingram, who began his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, has career averages of 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists with the Lakers and Pelicans.