Grade the trade idea: Andrew Wiggins heads to Portland in blockbuster proposal

Portland addresses center logjam

Note: To make this deal work, the Blazers would need to clear an additional roster spot, as they currently have all 15 spots filled.

Why the Pelicans would do this

The 2025 first-round pick the Pelicans receive from the Warriors is top-eight protected. That would likely convey to New Orleans. The Warriors have a revamped roster and should have a better season, but you never know in the loaded Western Conference. The Warriors have failed to make the playoffs in three of the past five seasons, and while they would likely be in the 10-14 range should they miss the playoffs again, crazier things have happened in the draft lottery.

Deandre Ayton would be a great addition for New Orleans, which desperately needs a center after losing Jonas Valanciunas to the Washington Wizards in a sign-and-trade this summer. The Pelicans are a talented team with playoff aspirations, especially after acquiring Dejounte Murray, but they won't go far in the playoffs without a serviceable big man.

Their best options currently are 6-foot-6 Zion Williamson and raw, unproven rookie Yves Missi. That's not going to cut it in the West, which is stacked with talented bigs, particularly during playoff time when the physicality picks up and the whistle gets shorter.

Moses Moody would be a great addition to add to their plethora of young wings that can space the floor. He would be a great complementary piece in this scenario since the Pelicans would be moving Brandon Ingram and fully committing to Zion being their go-to player. He is at his best when shooters surround him on the court, allowing him to operate in one-on-one situations and utilize his strength.

New Orleans would undoubtedly miss Ingram's length, scoring, and versatility. But they'd mainly ship him because he's on an expiring contract and may decide to test free agency next offseason. Instead of risking losing him for nothing, the Pelicans would get two solid pieces in return, addressing a massive need by acquiring an above-average starting center in Ayton.

Why the Warriors would do this

Meanwhile, Golden State would be adding a borderline All-Star in Ingram, who would be an upgrade from Wiggins. Ingram, 27, is two years younger than Wiggins as well. The Warriors would have a great pitch for him to sign a long-term deal. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have expiring windows, and Golden State doesn't have a clear-cut player to take over as the face of the franchise (although up-and-coming players like Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga are certainly encouraging).

The Warriors could sell Ingram on being the bridge between Curry-Green and Podziemski-Kuminga. He'd be arguably their best player after 36-year-old Curry retires and would have the keys to a historic franchise in a huge market. Steve Kerr is also one of the best coaches in the league and would help BI reach his untapped upside, specifically as a three-point shooter with Kerr's offensive sets and system.

They give up valuable young assets in this deal, but it's a relatively low-risk, high-reward trade. While there's no guarantee, the potential for Ingram to sign a long-term deal with Golden State makes the trade a gamble worth taking. The Warriors must take some risks; otherwise, they will waste Curry and Green's remaining years.

The Pelicans and Warriors should agree to this trade, but they are in extremely different positions than the Blazers. Those teams are borderline playoff teams that need to add another piece to help them get over the top, while Portland is in the early stages of a rebuilding process and trying to bottom out next season. With that being the case, does it make sense for them to add a 29-year-old Wiggins to their young roster?