Ingram to Houston, Eason to Utah

[Jody Smokz]

Kessler makes 2.9M. Why would the Pels need to engage the Lakers to get him? Also aren't the Lakers looking for a big? It makes more sense for the Lakers to just engage the Jazz for Kessler. Ingram doesn't make a lot of sense in LA and also any team trading for Ingram is likely committed to extending him. The Pelicans also don't have a strong reason to move Ingram now, especially for an average Center.


Maybe something like Kessler for Hood Schifino + 2 2nds. I don't have a strong read on how valuable Kessler is. He was just playing in Summer league. That hardly screams a player that would require a 1st or protections removed from an owed 1st. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Ingram to the Lakers
Kessler to the Pels
Lakers flotsam to Pels plus protection removed from 27 owed Laker 1st to Utah

That would be the skeleton of it, then add salaries around to make the money work.

[RollingWave]

HOU trades: Dillon Brooks, Jock Londale, Tari Eason
in: Brandon Ingram
So, I don't LOVE this for Houston, but I think they are a team with too many players who need minutes and a flier on Ingram is pretty low-risk because even if they decide to let him walk they'll be able to fill the rotation with interesting young players. If he works, that is awesome, he gives them another scoring threat and I think that could help them some (b/c of his individual creation). I know Houston fans love Tari and I do, too. But he's competing with Whitmore/Ausar/Green/Smith for minutes. Here Houston clarifies their rotation a bit (sending out about 60 minutes, bringing back 32, opening up more room for Ausar and Whitmore to play). Maybe this should be Whitmore and not Eason?

NOP trades: Brandon Ingram
in: Dillon Brooks, Jock Londale, Walker Kessler
New Orleans gets a starting caliber center + a 3+D wing that can take some of Ingram's minutes while leaving others open for Murphy/Jones/Hawkins.

UTA trades: Walker Kessler
in: Tari Eason
Utah gets a wing prospect.

Houston has too many guys so lets trade the two guys that actually is playing a role well for someone who has struggled to find a good role that is conducive to winning!

Seriously, Houston would rather waive and eat the rest of Dillon Brook's salary before doing this trade. (and Dillon Brooks is playing fine, certainly roughly worth of that contract.)