‘Blockbuster’ Trade Proposal Sends Karl-Anthony Towns To Pelicans, Brandon Ingram To Timberwolves

An NBA analyst suggested that the Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans should engage in a trade involving Karl-Anthony Towns and Brandon Ingram during the upcoming offseason.

Grant Hughes from Bleacher Report put forth a trade proposal between the two teams:

Proposed Trade: The New Orleans Pelicans would receive Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Larry Nance Jr., and a 2027 first-round draft pick acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks.

This season, the Pelicans were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder, whereas the Timberwolves exited in the conference finals after a five-game series against the Dallas Mavericks.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Pelicans are likely to actively explore trading Ingram during the offseason. Ingram has one year left on his contract and posted averages of 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, along with shooting percentages of 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from three-point range, and 80.1% from the free-throw line in the recent season.

For the Timberwolves to avoid significant luxury tax implications under the new CBA, either Towns or Rudy Gobert must be traded. Towns recorded averages of 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and shooting percentages of 50.4% from the field, 41.6% from beyond the arc, and 87.3% from the free-throw line in the last season.

Hughes noted, “Ingram and Nance would be acquired by the Timberwolves, with combined salaries of $36millionand$11.2 million respectively for the 2024-25 season. Ingram’s ability to create scoring opportunities out of thin air could benefit a Minnesota team that struggled offensively. He could slot in between Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards to avoid tough defensive matchups. Additionally, deploying Naz Reid in a large lineup alongside Ingram could provide scoring options from the bench.”

Discussing the potential impact of Towns in New Orleans, Hughes explained, “While Towns may not bolster their rim protection, his ability to stretch the floor as a dominant shooting big man could complement Zion Williamson’s offensive game splendidly. Utilizing Towns in a five-out formation could elevate the performance of the entire Pelicans roster. The team’s defense might be challenged, but Herb Jones could potentially compensate enough to secure a strong defensive ranking.”

Ingram, who won the Most Improved Player of the Year Award in 2019-20, holds career averages of 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks in his stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and Pelicans. On the other hand, Towns, a four-time All-Star and the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft from Kentucky, has career averages of 22.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks.

Ingram is set to earn $whileTown’ssalarywillamount\; to$49.4 million.