The New Orleans Pelicans have quickly gone from a team that expects to be in the Western Conference playoff picture to one that may sell at this year’s trade deadline. While it’s a bit early to make such a prediction, New Orleans is currently without Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins.

Those injury problems left the Pelicans dead last in the Western Conference with a 3-9 record through 12 games. Should New Orleans decide to sell, looming free agent Brandon Ingram should garner some interest.

In a recent article, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed a deal that would send Ingram to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Deandre Ayton.

Via Bailey: “For the Blazers, Ingram’s $36 million salary is about the same as Ayton’s $34 million, but he’s on an expiring deal, while Ayton is under contract through 2025-26. He’s not that smart for a rebuilding team, but Portland can easily let him go next summer and have some extra flexibility without the final year of Ayton on the books.”

New Orleans may be forced to do something about Ingram at the deadline if they are still near the bottom of the Western Conference. Losing the one-time All-Star for nothing in free agency would be an unfortunate outcome, especially if he has some trade value.

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