Just for fun- Would you trade Tobias Harris for Brandon Ingram?
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 7:43 pm
I was reading this article about Ingram's poor fit with Lebron this year, how he was starting to emerge last year but has regressed so far with Lebron-
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/12/13/18138537/brandon-ingram-lakers-lebron
Realistic trade considerations aside (since this would never actually happen), I thought a hypothetical straight-up trade between the 2 LA franchises would be interesting to ponder-
1. Lakers need more developed players to surround Lebron with, especially those good at shooting
2. Ingram is young and still developing, and fits into our long term/ cap space plans better
3. Ingram would likely improve his play on the Clippers, and Tobias should play at least as well as he is now on the Lakers
This is the epitome of a bird in the hand vs. 2 in the bush trade.
The problem for the Lakers is that if they want to keep Tobias for more than a year, it will create the same problem we will be facing- Tobias is an excellent player, but do you want to commit one of your max slots to him (regardless of whether he gets max, near max, etc.) So for that reason it wouldn't work for the Lakers long term, even though Tobias would clearly improve their team this year. I mean I think they'd be really, really good, enough for a home series against GSW in the Western conference finals.
From the Clipper side, I would do it mainly because Ingram still has a lot of promise, and we could still free up a lot of cap space with him on the team, with some other moves. Having both Shai and Ingram on the team might make for a lot of fun basketball.
So I would do it from the Clipper side despite Ingram's struggles this year and still clearly developing game, but I don't think it works for the Lakers (thought it would have a huge short term benefit for them.)
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/12/13/18138537/brandon-ingram-lakers-lebron
Realistic trade considerations aside (since this would never actually happen), I thought a hypothetical straight-up trade between the 2 LA franchises would be interesting to ponder-
1. Lakers need more developed players to surround Lebron with, especially those good at shooting
2. Ingram is young and still developing, and fits into our long term/ cap space plans better
3. Ingram would likely improve his play on the Clippers, and Tobias should play at least as well as he is now on the Lakers
This is the epitome of a bird in the hand vs. 2 in the bush trade.
The problem for the Lakers is that if they want to keep Tobias for more than a year, it will create the same problem we will be facing- Tobias is an excellent player, but do you want to commit one of your max slots to him (regardless of whether he gets max, near max, etc.) So for that reason it wouldn't work for the Lakers long term, even though Tobias would clearly improve their team this year. I mean I think they'd be really, really good, enough for a home series against GSW in the Western conference finals.
From the Clipper side, I would do it mainly because Ingram still has a lot of promise, and we could still free up a lot of cap space with him on the team, with some other moves. Having both Shai and Ingram on the team might make for a lot of fun basketball.
So I would do it from the Clipper side despite Ingram's struggles this year and still clearly developing game, but I don't think it works for the Lakers (thought it would have a huge short term benefit for them.)