Predicting the Blazers' perfect starting lineup after ideal offseason

Small forward: Brandon Ingram

In this scenario, the Portland Trail Blazers make a blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Pelicans for Brandon Ingram. The trade would likely involve two out of the three between Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, and Deandre Ayton, as well as draft compensation. The Blazers would get back Ingram and salary fillers. The Blazers go from Grant, 30, to Ingram, 26, at one of their forward positions, who better fits their rebuilding timeline.

Last season with the Pelicans, Ingram averaged a well-rounded stat line of 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists on 49/35/80 shooting splits. Ingram would check the box for everything the Blazers are looking for this offseason - positional size, a two-way wing, and shooting. He would fit perfectly alongside Portland's young guards in Henderson and Sharpe.

Defensively, Ingram is 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and would compensate for the backcourt's lack of size. Offensively, he can effectively play as an isolation scorer, off-ball cutter, and floor spacer. Henderson, Sharpe, and Ingram would be an ideal trio for the next decade, particularly on offense.

In this scenario, Ingram could be Portland's newest superstar to focus their rebuilding process around. The rest of Portland's foundational pieces are promising because of their potential. But, in Ingram, the Blazers would have someone with proven success in the league who would also fit their rebuild.

Ingram going to Portland is a pipe dream, but there's no denying it would be their ideal offseason.