In: Simone Fontecchio, Tim Hardaway Jr., Marcus Sasser, Toronto’s 2025 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick (less favorable from Charlotte or L.A. Clippers)

Out: Brandon Ingram, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

Failing to procure a first-round pick for Ingram’s services can be seen as a failure by the Pelicans. But this presumes that first-rounders are out there.

Perhaps the Pelicans are fine letting this situation spill into the summer and pursuing sign-and-trade scenarios. That’s risky. So is paying him. We already know Ingram isn’t a good fit for any New Orleans iteration that views Zion Williamson as its central building block, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll be more moveable on his next contract.

Loading up on shooting while getting out of the luxury tax and adding two intriguing second-rounders is a fair return under the circumstances. The Raptors pick, in particular, is a fringe first-rounder. If the season ended today, it would land at No. 34.

Meanwhile, Sasser is 24 years old and has two seasons left on his rookie-scale deal. He is overtaxed as a point guard and is undersized as an off-guard at 6’2″. But he’s shown real shooting and driving abilities.

Though Fontecchio’s outside shooting percentage has dipped, he provides size and functional off-ball shooting for a Pelicans squad light on both. THJ continues to let ‘er rip and would be a no-risk acquisition with his contract coming off the books this summer.