Lakers Rumors: Three reasons why it’s time to trade Brandon Ingram
By Jason Reed
2. He can be packaged to free salary cap space
Even though trading Ingram will be a tough pill to swallow for many Laker fans, the truth of the matter is the team will get a great return for his services. Whether that return is a superstar or draft picks is yet to be seen, but LA will definitely get their value back. When discussing trade talks, that seems to be something a lot of fans overlook.
Most importantly, however, trading Ingram will allow the Lakers to free up even more cap space next offseason. This trade would mimic the D’Angelo Russell trade identically. The Lakers would be sending Ingram, along with Deng and his huge contract, in exchange for someone on an expiring contract.
Such stars as DeMarcus Cousins could be acquired in a trade of this caliber. Heck, even if the team does not get a star in return, they could get some great draft value. Los Angeles could send the Cleveland Cavaliers Ingram and Deng in exchange for Amir Johnson and Jahlil Okafor. In that deal, the Lakers can get either their own pick or the 76ers pick in 2018; whichever is higher.
Regardless of what the Lakers get in return, they undoubtedly will have the luxury of pairing a terrible contract alongside Ingram. In doing so, the Lakers would be adding around $18 million in cap space the next three offseasons.
With Corey Brewer, Caldwell-Pope and Lopez also on expiring deals, this now gives the Lakers around $65 million in cap space next offseason. This leads perfectly into the third reason why Ingram should be traded.