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4 NBA trades for All-Stars that would shake up the league

By Dan Bennett

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 27: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Brandon Ingram #14 and Steven Adams #12 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on January 27, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 27: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Brandon Ingram #14 and Steven Adams #12 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on January 27, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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4 NBA trades for All-Stars that would shake up the league
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 03: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards dribbles by OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during a a NBA basketball game at FedExField on November 3, 2020 in Landover, Maryland, 4 NBA trades for All-Stars that would shake up the league. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

NBA trades for All-Stars that would shake up the league: Bradley Beal for Brandon Ingram trade

Pelicans receive: Bradley Beal

Wizards receive: Brandon Ingram

The Bradley Beal trade rumors have calmed down somewhat recently given Washinton’s better than expected season so far, despite a recent dip in form.

But questions over Beal’s future remain. The runner up for the scoring title for the past two seasons has yet to commit his future to the franchise and has only next season – which is a player option – left on his current deal.

If Washington is unsure that Beal is intent on staying long-term, then the better option might be to move off him now and try to get another player that can form part of the team for the foreseeable future.

Someone like Brandon Ingram fits the bill. The swingman recently signed an extension with New Orleans and is locked in for the foreseeable future. This season he is averaging 23.4 points per game and is shooting 36 percent from three on a poor team.

Bringing in Ingram would ensure Washington has a proven young scorer to build around for the future to go with the already talented roster in place while guarenteeing the team gets something back rather than letting Beal leave for nothing.

But the more intriguing aspect of this deal is what it means for the Pelicans. New Orleans has really struggled without Zion Williamson this season and has the second worst record in the Western Conference.

The Pels are under pressure to start making improvements or could have another Anthony Davis situation on their hands with Zion. When Williamson and Ingram played together last year the fit was underwhelming, and the team missed out on the playoffs.

Making a win now move like bringing in Beal to pair with Williamson when he is healthy signals that the team is intent on getting Zion into the postseason and contending for championships.

It would be enormously tricky to pull off, given Beal holds a lot of the power due to his contract situation, but if he buys in long-term to playing with Williamson, it could finally get the Pels moving in the right direction with a potentially devastating duo in Beal and Zion. That could create a new NBA Championship contender.

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