In a proposed blockbuster trade, the Miami Heat acquire Brandon Ingram.

The Miami Heat’s season outlook could change if they make a huge move to get Brandon Ingram.

The Miami Heat are attempting to halt a shaky start to the 2023-24 NBA season. After losing 1-4 in their first five games, the Heat have recovered to.500 after eight games. The Philadelphia 76ers have joined the favorites, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics, at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The Heat have admittedly fallen behind, with one of the league’s weakest offenses and a streaky squad.

The Pelicans started the season 4-1, the reverse of what the Heat did, and have subsequently dropped to the same 4-4 record as the Heat. Despite looking strong with Zion Williamson healthy, CJ McCollum’s lung concerns have hampered their momentum. Given how injuries continue to spoil every season, there are still questions about what the team can accomplish in its current shape. The Pelicans may benefit from a mild reset of their core in order to surround Williamson with a young guard rather than a post scorer. As a result, a trade with the Heat may be the solution.

Miami Heat Receive: Brandon Ingram

To get go of Ingram, the Pelicans loaded up on rotational depth and acquired a future choice in exchange for a high-potential young prospect. This would alter both teams and give them an opportunity to freshen things up ahead of a difficult season.

For four seasons, the Pelicans have tried to make a frontcourt combo of Zion and Ingram work, but health on either side hasn’t allowed it. Zion’s potential remains limitless, whereas Ingram appears to have reached his peak. He’s an All-Star forward, but he won’t be the piece that propels them to a championship. As a result, the Pels can exchange his talent for Tyler Herro’s experienced guard performance.

Herro’s demeanor may be reviled, but his on-court performance for the Heat has been undeniable. He is their offensive leader and can play any offensive role that is required, whether on or off the ball. He’s proved his playmaking abilities this season, averaging 22.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists as the Heat’s primary ball-handler. An ankle injury has hampered his progress, but Herro has demonstrated that he has a lot of potential for development while simultaneously being a high-level starter in the NBA right now.

With the loss of Ingram, Caleb Martin provides the Pelicans with extra frontcourt depth. This move would give Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones more playing time, but Martin is a seasoned 3-and-D forward who could fit into any contending squad. Nikola Jovic is young and has a lot of potential, which the Pelicans could use with this younger and slightly different timeline with Herro and Zion.

The Miami Heat Add The Scoring Punch They Need

Despite Tyler Herro’s strong start, the Heat have been one of the worst offenses to begin the season. The absence of a true playmaker has harmed them, but the absence of a wing scorer has been more damaging. In the regular season, Jimmy Butler will not try to give you 30 points every game, therefore the Heat need a big guy that can move around rangy and strong defenders to get easy buckets. Brandon Ingram almost exactly fits that bill, while also allowing the Heat to seek for a pass-first PG or rely on Kyle Lowry to provide serviceable defense and playmaking.

To begin the season, Ingram is averaging 21.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He’s still finding his stride and has been playing within the flow of the team’s offense rather than chasing his own buckets. One reason for this is the Pelicans’ depth, which has forced Ingram to play a more reserved and responsible style of basketball. The Heat require a lone scorer who can carry the offense at times, particularly when Butler appears to be a playmaker. With his passing and scoring abilities, Ingram would be an ideal complement.

For the most part, Ingram isn’t an engaged defender, but joining the Heat and being forced to work within that system could enable him finally harness his lanky physical tools to be an important defender. With Bam Adebayo at center and Butler on the perimeter, the pressure will be reduced, allowing Ingram to excel in a defensive role as well.

A Deal To Set Both Franchises Up For Realistic Goals

The Pelicans may decide to trade CJ McCollum and Jonas Valuncuinas for similar upgrades, as both players can limit the Pelicans’ youth mobility. The distinction between this and other young movements is that this is a win-now group with the ability to compete every night, akin to the Thunder but with less future assets. Everything is dependent on Zion’s health, but with Herro and the rest of the group, this group can compete even without Zion while providing the team opportunity to grow with their high-potential young players.

The Heat will take a calculated risk by releasing Herro, Jovic, Martin, and a draft pick. Their depth isn’t great, and this removes more parts from the roster. Jovic, on the other hand, barely plays, while Herro was the subject of trade speculations all summer. Moving on from that, acquiring Ingram, a more polished talent, would help the team compete this season. Martin, a 3-and-D wing, will inevitably be supplanted by the Heat’s factory line production of identifying high-quality NBA players.

Both teams will be taking huge risks by changing the course of their teams, but it could work out in everyone’s advantage in the long run. Ingram has considerable room to grow as a player, which might benefit Miami if they are the team to make it happen. Herro’s career is already on an upward track, therefore his collaboration with someone like Zion could change the course of his career as well.