Why a Brandon Ingram-for-Trae Young trade makes sense

Young, who has averaged 26.4 poins in 27 playoff games, would also give New Orleans another perimeter scoring threat besides McCollum (20.1 PPG in 57 playoff games) in the postseason. 

Plus, Young — a liability defensively — could be "hidden" on defense on a team that may be the NBA's best on that end of the floor. Young would play with solid defenders (Jones, Murphy III, Jose Alvarado or Williamson), allowing him to expend more energy on offense. 

Ingram, who's entering the final year of a five-year, $158 million contract, became almost unplayable in this year's playoffs (14.3 PPG on 34.5 percent shooting from the field), forcing Pelicans coach Willie Green to bench him in late-game situations.

The 2020 Most Improved Player's production in this postseason does not justify his contract or sacrificing touches to McCollum and Williamson in the long run. Playing time at the wing would be better used on Murphy III (39.2 percent career three-point shooter) and Jones, who are less ball-dominant and better defenders. 

For the Hawks

With the Hawks landing this year's No. 1 pick and focused on moving multiple starters (Young and Clint Capela, according to Stein), Atlanta looks primed for a rebuild.

A Young-for-Ingram deal would give Atlanta a valuable trade asset while also giving them many picks to choose from in a trade (New Orleans has 12 first-round picks from 2024-2030). Moreover, even if the Hawks would not trade Ingram immediately, they could allow him to build his trade value back up in a low-pressure environment.