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NBA Trade Rumors: Brandon Ingram Expected to Have Bigger Market Than Trae Young

Scott Polacek

There has been no shortage of Trae Young trade rumors even with the NBA playoffs still ongoing, but the Atlanta Hawks star reportedly isn't generating as much interest as another impact player.

While Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday there is "a healthy expectation the Hawks will consider dealing" their guard, he also noted speaking to league executives gave him the sense that New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram will have a larger market of potential suitors via trade.

That would, of course, require the Pelicans deciding they are going to make drastic changes to their roster by moving on from Ingram.

Such a decision wouldn't be particularly shocking, though, as he is under contract for just one more season and may leave next summer in free agency anyway. Trading him now would allow New Orleans to get a significant package of assets back in return and perhaps accelerate building the franchise around Zion Williamson.

There are health concerns around Ingram, as he hasn't reached the 70-game mark since he was a rookie during the 2016-17 campaign.

However, the 64 games he played this past season was the second-highest total of his career. He is also still just 26 years old despite being in the league for eight seasons and could have even more room for growth in an ideal scenario.

Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from deep this past season.

While he may not be as notable of a name as Young, it's not shocking he would have a bigger market. His defensive versatility allows him to guard multiple positions, while Young is frequently a concern on that end of the floor.

Young is also a much more ball-dominant player, which is not as easy to fit into every team's system. There is not a team in the league that couldn't figure out a way to get Ingram in its wing rotation as someone who can shoot from the outside, take over as a scorer and contribute on the boards all while not needing to dominate the ball.

Yet Young would need specific personnel around him to thrive and may not be the best match with other players who are as ball-dominant.

Perhaps they will both be traded this offseason, but New Orleans may end up getting more in return than Atlanta will given the market.

   

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