NY Knicks: Could NY trade RJ Barrett for Brandon Ingram?

Before the angry mobs come after me with pitchforks in hand, let me be clear in that I do not want the NY Knicks to trade RJ Barrett for Brandon Ingram.

I’m sure there’s gonna be plenty of negative reactions just based on the title alone, so to cover my butt a bit…I said what I said.

The Pelicans are up against a wall right now and have maybe the most pressure on them to make the right moves in the offseason.

The team’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, David Griffin discussed the mutual separation between the team and Stan Van Gundy recently, and let’s face it…the pairing felt a bit forced and was never going to work out.

Losing a head coach is hard enough to deal with as is but in a recent report by The Athletic, some of New Orleans superstar-in-the-making Zion Williamson’s family members are unhappy with his situation on the Pelicans and would rather him be on another team (subscription needed).

My colleague and co-editor here at Daily Knicks, Adam Kester, recently wrote about Zion and RJ Barretts’s friendship and how it’s something to keep an eye on as time goes by.

Should the NY Knicks entertain an RJ Barrett for Brandon Ingram swap?

Them teaming up on the Knicks one day would be a dream come true for myself and the majority of the fanbase.

It’s pretty obvious based on an interview with Zion after a game in Madison Square Garden back in April that he enjoys playing in New York.

New Orleans has to do anything and everything it takes to keep him happy.

This brings me to the idea for this article.

As Knicks fans, of course, we want to imagine a world where Zion forces his way onto the Knicks.

But, in reality, the more likely option is that the team who’s basically got control over him and his contract for at the very least 3 more years will do anything and everything to make him and his family happy in NOLA.

What would make Zion happier than having his best friend with him?

Not a whole lot I would imagine.

While the fit of pairing Brandon Ingram with Julius Randle would be a bit odd as both need the ball in their hands to be the most productive they can be, Ingram is an absolute stud and if the Knicks could figure out how to make him work, that could be another piece to New York’s championship puzzle.

Not saying RJ Barrett isn’t going to be that for the team one day, but he’s not that player for the Knicks today.

Maybe Zion demands New Orleans trade for RJ and the team gets Ingram straight up or even other assets in the swap?

As crazy as this all sounds, crazier things have happened.