Brandon Ingram
After being chosen second in the 2016 draft, Brandon Ingram spent his first three seasons with the Lakers. He showed steady improvement each year and discerning fans could tell that he was a star in the making. Many others, however, were dissatisfied that he hadn’t progressed fast enough.
The trade to New Orleans was a godsend for Ingram. The combination of his emerging maturity and the freedom the Pelicans gave him enabled him to establish career highs in most categories and he deservedly made his first all-star team. He’s raised his scoring output six points above his final Lakers season to 24.3 points a game while also averaging 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1 steal per game.
He was the team’s major offensive threat while #1 pick Zion Williamson spent months recovering from injury. Once the rookie was physically able to join the Pels, Ingram could have fallen back into a secondary role. Instead, he combined with Zion to give New Orleans an impressive, tough to guard pair of forwards.
Ingram has become a major key to the Pelicans’ future. He will be a restricted free agent when this season ends, and New Orleans is expected to do what it takes to re-sign him.
It is readily apparent that, like Davis, BI has benefited significantly from the big trade. He also receives the top grade of 5.