NBA Rumors: The Team that has Joined the Bidding for Brandon Ingram

Utah Jazz is among the teams interested in acquiring New Orleans Pelicans' forward, Brandon Ingram, according to recent reports. Christian Clark of NOLA.com reported that for the trade to materialize, the Jazz would likely have to include center Walker Kessler, given the desire of President of Basketball Operations, David Griffin, to add defense to the Pelicans' roster.

The Exchange Complexities

While including Kessler wouldn't be a problem for Utah, finding a sensible trade structure could prove challenging. The Jazz could offer Kessler, John Collins, and a combination of young players and draft picks in exchange for Ingram. However, this is likely not sufficient for a Pelicans team looking to make a significant impact in the postseason.

Since arriving in 2019, Griffin has not managed to advance past the first round of the playoffs and is likely feeling pressure from the management. He has already improved the roster this summer by adding Dejounte Murray, and trading Ingram for young players and Collins' contract would be contradictory.

The Pelicans' Position

The Pelicans have understandably been hesitant to offer Ingram a maximum contract extension, but swapping him for a lesser return doesn't make much sense. The team could fetch a similar compensation by waiting until the trade deadline, allowing time to see if Ingram can return to his All-Star form.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the "sense" is that Ingram will start the season in New Orleans. This decision would enable the Pelicans to assess his performance and potential to lead the team before making any drastic decisions.

Utah Jazz's Strategy

Meanwhile, Utah is pursuing a strategy that doesn't truly serve the franchise's long-term interests. Swapping Lauri Markkanen for substantial compensation and entering the fray to land Cooper Flagg would make more sense than pairing Markkanen with Ingram, a duo destined to lead a team to 42-45 wins over the next five years.

While there may be interest from Utah in acquiring Ingram at a low cost, the Pelicans should hold onto him if Kessler is the best piece they can get in return. Ingram remains a valuable player with the potential to elevate his game and perhaps lead the Pelicans to further postseason success.

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