Kings’ perfect trade offer for Brandon Ingram to Pelicans

The Sacramento Kings are close to making a deal after losing the play-in tournament. New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is a trade target that could make sense for the Kings.

The Kings have a star duo in De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. They also have a promising forward in Keegan Murray and a top scorer in Malik Monk. As Sacramento looks to add to that core, Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter have tradable contracts.

The Kings already made one deal this offseason, saving cap space by moving Davion Mitchell and Sasha Vezenkov, the draft rights to Jamal Shead and a 2025 second-round pick for Jalen McDaniels.

This deal saves them some salary and gives them a chance to develop McDaniels, who has shown early signs of being a solid role player.

However, the Kings still have a lot of work to do to establish themselves as a premier team in the Western Conference. Teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder are improving their already talented rosters.

If the Kings want to get in the race, they need to make a big move. That being said, here’s the Kings’ perfect trade offer for Brandon Ingram to the Pelicans.

Kings make blockbuster deal for Brandon Ingram

Pelicans receive: Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2030 first-round pick swap

Kings host: Brandon Ingram

The Kings need to buy players this offseason to keep up with other teams that have improved their rosters. This deal would get them Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, a first-round pick and a pick swap for Ingram.

While Ingram is a talented player, the Pelicans aren’t close to an extension as he enters the final year of his contract.

Acquiring Barnes and Huerter gives the Pelicans two additional role players, who they could also trade in another deal to add an impact player. With the future draft pick and a potential trade, they would be armed with capital to make another move.

New Orleans recently acquired Dejounte Murray, making them a formidable team in the West.

This gives the Kings the punch they need to compete with the best teams in the West. Sacramento is expected to work on an extension with Ingram and would still need to add more shooting and defense, but adding an All-Star caliber forward is a good start.

In 64 games during the 2023 season, Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from three-point range.

He excels at getting to his spots to create scoring opportunities while being a solid playmaker.

The Kings could line up Fox, Monk, Ingram, Murray and Sabonis. It would probably be the best offensive lineup in the league and a nightmare for opposing teams.

Their bench could use some work, but Keon Ellis and Trey Lyles have proven to be solid contributors. Rookie point guard Devin Carter, who was selected with the 13th overall pick, will likely be the backup point guard.

McDaniels, the Kings’ recent acquisition, could also be part of the rotation. The 26-year-old forward has shown signs of being a rotation player as a solid defender, but he needs to work on his three-point shot.

The Kings have the opportunity to add a third star alongside Fox and Sabonis while continuing to let Murray develop. A blockbuster deal for Ingram could help them become one of the best teams in the West next season.