The Cleveland Cavaliers are set up to make a serious run for the playoffs next season.
They have a fantastic franchise cornerstone in Donovan Mitchell, and he’s staying with the Cavs for a couple more years. They also have an exciting new coach who can draw up plays to maximize their talented roster in Kenny Atkinson.
![Cleveland Cavaliers to Land 21 PPG Forward in Wild Trade Scenario 1 cleveland cavaliers donovan mitchell](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/668400290447c0.64784744.webp)
However, they also understand that they’re likely a piece short of making a serious run for the NBA Finals. They have been linked to interesting players who could finally help them get past the best teams in the Eastern Conference, though some are less savory than others.
One of the most intriguing trade rumors from a basketball perspective involves New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram. It’s common knowledge at this point that the team is looking to offload the Duke alum, and the Cavs present an interesting proposition for the forward.
Cleveland Cavaliers emerge as a possible destination for Brandon Ingram
![Cleveland Cavaliers to Land 21 PPG Forward in Wild Trade Scenario 2 USATSI 19272260 scaled](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_19272260-scaled.jpg)
ClutchPoints’ Matty Breisch highlights Ingram’s potential fit for Cleveland’s wing problems as a high-volume scorer who can put up a decent 20-PPG season at the drop of a hat. He said that Ingram’s 2020 season, where he averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steals on 46.3%/39.1%/85.1% shooting splits:
Since that certified breakout season in 2020, Ingram has slowly but surely established himself as a legitimate 23.1 points-per-game scorer, leading the Pelicans in shots per game in three of the last five seasons while appearing in an average of 57.4 games per season.
Last season saw Ingram take a step back, but he still did well with 20.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 5.7 APG on 49.2% shooting and 35.5% from deep.
The Cavaliers will still have to contend with the fact that Ingram seemingly had a more negative effect on the Pelicans’ efficiency whenever he’s on the floor. There’s also the matter of his health: The most regular-season games he played in his eight-year NBA career was during his rookie year with the Los Angeles Lakers at 79.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will address a key hole in their roster if they manage to bring Ingram over, but they will have to give up one of their core players to get him. Whether the front office wants to commit to this hypothetical trade is a completely different question in and of itself.
![Cleveland Cavaliers to Land 21 PPG Forward in Wild Trade Scenario 3 New Orleans Pelicans, Brandon Ingram](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_19969247_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
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