The Miami Heat need to make some moves this offseason. One primary need is a three-level scorer. Someone who can score inside the paint, mid-range, and beyond the arc. Miami definitely lacked that in their playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks. Especially with their best player Jimmy Butler being held in check by the Bucks defense. Players like Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal have been linked to the Heat so far. However, there is another option that could emerge in Brandon Ingram.
According to Ethan Skolnick of the Five Reason Sports Network, Ingram could be an option for Miami this offseason:
“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 seems to be already resolved with the New Orleans Pelicans parting ways with coach Van Gundy. New Orleans is reportedly looking at hiring their assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon as his replacement. As for the second issue, that could be resolved with the team trading Ingram. Williamson’s family reportedly wants the forward out but it’s unlikely the Pelicans will move him. If Williamson wants to leave, it’ll require him playing the next two years of his rookie contract and then taking a risk of playing on a qualifying offer. Doing this will likely make him miss out on a potential $200 million extension offer from New Orleans. Plus there’s a greater chance they’ll move Ingram first if they had to choose between the two players.
The Fit
Ingram has proven to be a three-level scorer who can create his own shot and be effective in catch and shoot situations. In the latter, Ingram is shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from downtown. This will make him a good fit alongside non-shooters like Butler and Bam Adebayo. Most importantly, he is also a tough shot maker, which the team needs. For the season, Ingram averaged 23.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game. His long wingspan allows him to be an effective on-ball defender as well. You can bet Miami is going to groom him to become better on the defensive end.
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What will it take to acquire him? The Pelicans really need shooting on their roster. Miami can re-sign Duncan Robinson and send him to New Orleans. This most likely will have to become a three or four-team deal. Miami will have to send out 23.5 million in an Ingram deal and Duncan can only be signed and traded alone. There cannot be an additional player, although picks can be added. The third team will have to be a scenario where Miami sends a contract out and receives a contract in return that is small enough to make the sign-and-trade work. Basically, making a trade involving Duncan will be tricky.
In all, making a trade for Ingram does make sense. However, the path to acquiring him is very tricky. This will be something to monitor as the offseason progresses.
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One Response
The PELICANS would be STUPID to trade Brandon Ingram they should definitely trade Bledsoe and Adams,Stop trying to get rid of one of your best players on the team Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have a chemistry got damn.