Pelicans predicted to acquire former No. 1 overall pick from Trail Blazers

On Friday, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey explored the possibility that the Pelicans could move Brandon Ingram to Portland in exchange for a center, a position of huge need for New Orleans.

“The New Orleans Pelicans entering the season with a disgruntled, unextended Brandon Ingram and without a starting-caliber center made them a pretty obvious trade candidate from the jump,” Bailey said.

“The Pelicans might be wise to consider a roster-balancing move that exchanges Ingram for a 5.”

“And Deandre Ayton is perhaps the most obvious candidate for such a move.”

“For the Blazers, Ingram's $36 million salary is right around Ayton's $34 million, but he's on an expiring deal, while Ayton is under contract through 2025-26. He doesn't make a ton of sense for a rebuilding team, but Portland can easily just let him walk next summer and have some extra flexibility without that final year of Ayton on the books.”

“Is that alone worth moving Ayton? Portland might insist on getting a pick, but the answer to that question could honestly be yes.”

“He too doesn't make a ton of sense for the Blazers, especially with Donovan Clingan already looking like a starter-quality rim protector.”