Grade the trade: Lakers bring Anthony Davis trade full circle in three-team pitch
The Grade
This would be a genuine dream scenario for the Los Angeles Lakers. D'Angelo Russell and Christian Wood are on expiring contracts, Brandon Ingram would offer an upgrade over Rui Hachimura, and the Lakers would only have to part with second-round draft compensation.
It's fair to question if New Orleans would part with Ingram for anything less than a first-round draft pick, but from the Lakers' perspective, this is an A-plus trade.
Brandon Ingram to the Lakers. A+. . . Lakers acquire Brandon Ingram for Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell, Christian Wood
Losing Hachimura stings, but the Lakers are making this trade to upgrade at his position. Ingram would become the instant starter, if not one of the franchise players, while Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt would still be around to provide depth at forward.
With the trio of Anthony Davis, Ingram, and LeBron James leading a roster that would still have Knecht, Austin Reaves, Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent on it, the Lakers could contend immediately.
The question mark facing Los Angeles in this scenario is how they plan to compensate for the loss of Russell. For all that's been said about him, he's one of the best shooters in the NBA, and the Lakers lack ideal depth at the point guard position.
The most likely outcome in that scenario would be for Reaves and Vincent to play the 1, with Jalen Hood-Schifino's development and Ingram's facilitating becoming priorities.
No matter how the rest of the trade plays out, the Lakers would be adding an All-Star for a more than reasonable cost. Los Angeles can extend Ingram during the season or re-sign him next summer, but even if it doesn't work out, two of the three lost assets would be on expiring contracts.
Parting with Hachimura would sting, but in return, the Lakers would be getting an All-Star in their prime. It's a phenomenal trade for Los Angeles.
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