The Sixers are seemingly holding out for the best possible return for Ben Simmons. With their window to win now, they aren’t necessarily seeking assets to win for the future.
That’s where the Pelicans come into play. Their ideal scenario is to build a winning team around Zion Williamson and make him their primary option on offense.
However, little is going right in New Orleans right now, so the Pelicans could look to shake up their roster to keep Williamson happy long term.
This trade makes sense for the Sixers for a number of reasons. Simmons is by all accounts not coming back to Philadelphia. Ingram would also provide a shot creation presence out on the perimeter that the Sixers so desperately need.
Joel Embiid is capable of carrying an offense, but if last year’s playoffs showed anything, he could use a little help on offense.
Some will question Ingram’s fit next to Tobias Harris, as both have overlapping skillsets, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about watching basketball, you can never have too many shot creators, especially come playoff time.
On the Pelicans’ side of things, Simmons wouldn’t help their floor spacing by any means. Ingram going out would also hurt them in that area.
However, the Pelicans could opt to run a significant portion of their offense with the duo running pick-and-rolls with each other and creating easy opportunities at the basket.
The Pelicans have Jonas Valanciunas locked up for the foreseeable future, as he can help provide floor spacing with his ability to shoot.
New Orleans would also have to build their team to have several catch-and-shoot specialists from downtown to keep this offense going.
The defensive potential of Williamson and Simmons on the floor at the same time would be scary as well.
