3 All-Stars the Lakers could trade D'Angelo Russell for during 2024-25 season

Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans

It's hard to imagine the Los Angeles Lakers losing their starting point guard without lining up a replacement, but Brandon Ingram would be worth it. This is another example of the Lakers needing to offer more than just D'Angelo Russell, but his expiring contract certainly gets the ball rolling.

Considering Ingram is also on an expiring contract and the New Orleans Pelicans are reluctant to match his asking price for an extension, this could realistically work out.

Ingram is one of the most dynamic wings in the NBA, with a versatile skill set and high-level instincts as a facilitator. Since the Lakers traded him to the Pelicans in 2019, he's averaged 23.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.8 three-point field goals made per game.

At least capable in every phase of the game, Ingram is the perfect co-star for a more aggressive scorer, which Anthony Davis and LeBron James could be in 2024-25.

Ingram's current contract situation implies that he could become available in trade discussions around or even before the deadline. If he and the Pelicans are unable to come to terms on an extension, they could trade him out of fear that they could lose him for nothing as an unrestricted free agent.

With Russell, draft compensation, and perhaps Rui Hachimura as the starting point of a trade offer, the Lakers would be an excellent landing spot for Ingram.