DET / NO / POR

[Butter]

Reviewing the Pistons board, it seems like there is some interest in Ingram. Working on the massive assumption that the Pels actually want to keep Zion.


Pistons trade:
Tim Hardaway Jr
Isiah Stewart
2025 Tor 2nd
(2029 1st top 3 protected). (edited based on Pistons feedback)

Pistons Receive
Brandon Ingram
Daniel Theis

The Pistons stronger than expected start spurs an interest in winning now. The Pistons give up some depth and draft capitol to gain a legit #1 scorer. Ingram combined with Cade to lead the Pistons resurgence


Pelicans Trade
Brandon Ingram
Daniel Theis

Pelicans receive
Deandre Ayton
2029 1st top 3 protected). (edited based on Pistons feedback)




This trade hinges on Zion. If the Pelicans want to try to make a final push with Zion and CJ, Ayton is a great rebounder, and opens the spacing for Zion. If this deal totally flops, Ayton is an expiring deal next year and perfectly positions the Pelicans to tear it all down and rebuild. Based on previous feedback from Pelicans fans, the sole 1st goes to them.


Blazers Trade
Deandre Ayton

Blazers Receive
Tim Hardaway Jr (expiring)
Isiah Stewart
2025 Tor 2nd

Stewart becomes the Blazers long term back up behind Clingan, freeing them up to go ahead and trade RWIII. THJ expires, and the Blazers pick up a solid 2nd rounder.

[Blazinaway]

IMO Pistons overpaying for Ingram, not worth an unprotected 2026 first with his expiring contract and likely wanting a max contract

[Butter]

IMO Pistons overpaying for Ingram, not worth an unprotected 2026 first with his expiring contract and likely wanting a max contract

Easy fix, adding protections

[Mrakar]

IMO Pistons overpaying for Ingram, not worth an unprotected 2026 first with his expiring contract and likely wanting a max contract

Easy fix, adding protections

How much protection? Pelicans will loose interest if it is protected.
Missi is looking good, Pelicans are going nowwhere anyway. No need to add Aytons salary...

[JayTWill]

IMO Pistons overpaying for Ingram, not worth an unprotected 2026 first with his expiring contract and likely wanting a max contract

Easy fix, adding protections

The Pistons currently owe a pick to the Wolves that is Top 13 protected in 2025, Top 11 protected in 2026 and Top 9 protected in 2027 or it becomes a 2027 Second round pick if it is not delivered at that point.

[Butter]

IMO Pistons overpaying for Ingram, not worth an unprotected 2026 first with his expiring contract and likely wanting a max contract

Easy fix, adding protections

How much protection? Pelicans will loose interest if it is protected.
Missi is looking good, Pelicans are going nowwhere anyway. No need to add Aytons salary...

We're not talking about a 5 year contract. The Pels, get half a season, and then Ayton is an expiring. The beauty of this concept IMHO is that it gives the Pels one final chance to evaluate this current roster, then they are well positioned to tear it all down with expirings if needed

Worst case scenario, they get a pick for Ingram, and possibly another pick of they trade Ayton next year.

[theBigLip]

Why give up real assets and trade for Ingram when he will be a free agent soon?

[Blazinaway]

Why give up real assets and trade for Ingram when he will be a free agent soon?

and that is why I would not give up much for him, wants a big payday as well

[redslastlaugh]

At this point Brandon Ingram kind of sucks, or not “sucks” exactly but is like the 110th best player in the NBA. But he was picked #2 overall, he was maxed on his first extension and now on his second extension we wants to be paid like he is a top20 player, when he is not. Who wants to give BI $25 - $50 million a year, and he plays like this, on easy street and your cap sheet is sunk?

Maybe a good player will emerge from his talent at some point down the road. Probably to find that dude, is gonna take a little bit of a humbling.

To me, I’d almost rather BI gets no offer at all on an extension or free agency, and has to take a one year mini like Dennis Schröder did with Boston during the covid year. Because then maybe BI can refocus get his act together, get serious about his habits, and get his career on track.

Right now Brandon Ingram just givin off loser energy, and has been for a while. Any team that signs him for like a $200 million contract gonna be left holding hat bag

[OutsidetheNBA]

Love it for the Blazers, but I've always been high on Stewart. Send the 2nd to the Pels if that's what it takes.

[Kalamazoo317]

I think the next first the Pistons can trade is 29. I’d do that, lottery protected then expires, along with THJ and Duren. Beefstew is core for us.

[Snakebites]

IMO Pistons overpaying for Ingram, not worth an unprotected 2026 first with his expiring contract and likely wanting a max contract

Easy fix, adding protections

How much protection? Pelicans will loose interest if it is protected.
Missi is looking good, Pelicans are going nowwhere anyway. No need to add Aytons salary...

Im not sure Detroit does it even with protections. I’m not sure he has positive value at the cost it would take to extend him in Detroit, frankly.

If the Pels wanted unprotected first from a bad team level value I think they waited too long to trade him.

We also can’t trade a 2026 first.

[Myth]

Works for this Blazers fan. I would be trying to move THJ before the deadline though. Mostly because he needs minutes that Portland doesn’t have to give him.

[Butter]

Easy fix, adding protections

How much protection? Pelicans will loose interest if it is protected.
Missi is looking good, Pelicans are going nowwhere anyway. No need to add Aytons salary...

Im not sure Detroit does it even with protections. I’m not sure he has positive value at the cost it would take to extend him in Detroit, frankly.

If the Pels wanted unprotected first from a bad team level value I think they waited too long to trade him.

We also can’t trade a 2026 first.

How likely is it that Detroit can attract premier FAs, if the get cap space? As a Blazers fan, I've come to terms with the fact that Portland is just not going to pull premier FAs like big market teams.

If that is even remotely a factor for Detroit, I'm speculating that overpaying for 2nd tier stars like Ingram may just be a hard reality in today's NBA.

Truth or no?

[Butter]

Why give up real assets and trade for Ingram when he will be a free agent soon?

This is related to my response to Snakebites post. I'm not say...I'm asking, how successful is Detroit in attracting FAs.

The premise for trading for Ingram is because management doesn't think he'll decide to come there as a FA.

[Butter]

IMO Pistons overpaying for Ingram, not worth an unprotected 2026 first with his expiring contract and likely wanting a max contract

Easy fix, adding protections

The Pistons currently owe a pick to the Wolves that is Top 13 protected in 2025, Top 11 protected in 2026 and Top 9 protected in 2027 or it becomes a 2027 Second round pick if it is not delivered at that point.

Thanks, I edited the OP

[wemby]

Why give up real assets and trade for Ingram when he will be a free agent soon?

Because the OP is a Blazers fan and needs another team to pony up the assets required to dump Ayton, so enter the Pistons.

[Snakebites]

How much protection? Pelicans will loose interest if it is protected.
Missi is looking good, Pelicans are going nowwhere anyway. No need to add Aytons salary...

Im not sure Detroit does it even with protections. I’m not sure he has positive value at the cost it would take to extend him in Detroit, frankly.

If the Pels wanted unprotected first from a bad team level value I think they waited too long to trade him.

We also can’t trade a 2026 first.

How likely is it that Detroit can attract premier FAs, if the get cap space? As a Blazers fan, I've come to terms with the fact that Portland is just not going to pull premier FAs like big market teams.

If that is even remotely a factor for Detroit, I'm speculating that overpaying for 2nd tier stars like Ingram may just be a hard reality in today's NBA.

Truth or no?

Truth (in terms of is not being a destination). We won’t be in play for major free agents now or for the future.

But there’s still value in financial flexibility even if you’re not looking to bag premier free agents in terms of flexibility in trades and resigning guys, as well as signing B and C list free agents.

The Pelicans aren’t a destination either but clearly concluded last season that they don’t want to pay him, which is why this thread exists in the first place.

[giberish]

I question why Portland is in this trade.

If I'm the NO GM, I'd much rather just take Stewart + EC filler for Ingram than take back Ayton.

[islandboy53]

Why give up real assets and trade for Ingram when he will be a free agent soon?

This is related to my response to Snakebites post. I'm not say...I'm asking, how successful is Detroit in attracting FAs.

The premise for trading for Ingram is because management doesn't think he'll decide to come there as a FA.

If he's not coming there as a FA, and he likely isn't, is he going to sign a new deal there after the Pistons pay to acquire him? It's been reported recently that a potential move to Utah didn't happen because Ingram didn't want to sign a new deal there.