As we've discussed before, the Sacramento Kings need to use this offseason to pull off a move that gives them some more functional size. And one of the names that has been floating around is Brandon Ingram, who, after a shaky end of the season, may be on the trading block.
Now, I am not saying whether or not I think the Kings should trade for Ingram. That's a different conversation for a different article. What I want to do here is set an expectation for how much the Kings would need to give up in order to acquire a player of Ingram's caliber.
In my experience, the best way of approaching these things is by looking at the precedent of trades for players of a similar pedigree in a similar contractual situation.
In Ingram's case, the closest example we can look at in recent memory is the deal that landed the Indiana Pacers Pascal Siakam (who, coincidentally enough, the Kings were trying to acquire themselves).
Siakam, like Ingram, is not a top-25 player in today's talent-rich league, but he is the next best thing (a sub All-Star). Also, like Ingram, Siakam was set to be a free agent at the end of the season he was traded in.
To get Siakam, the Pacers parted ways with three first round picks, Bruce Brown, and Jordan Nwora. Nwora was basically a wash, especially since the Pacers got two second round picks in return. Brown is a fringe starter/high-end bench player. Those types of players are usually worth a first round pick. So, the Pacers essentially gave up the equivalent of four first round picks to get Siakam.
Also worth keeping in mind, the Pacers were basically given a guarantee that Siakam would re-sign with them at the end of the season (whether he plans on honoring it or not remains to be seen). If the Kings can get a similar guarantee from Ingram (or they can agree to an extension), Ingram should be worth a similar amount to Siakam.
In a recent post, I suggested a trade for Ingram involving Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, and two first round picks. Huerter and Barnes are both starting-caliber players. So, them, plus the two first round picks, would be the equivalent of four first round assets.
If the Kings can't get the same guarantee from Ingram that the Pacers got from Siakam, they may be able to negotiate down to three first round assets (or even two).
Again, I'm not saying that the Kings should do this trade, nor am I saying that the New Orleans Pelicans would definitely accept it. I'm just saying that this is what Ingram's value is based on the recent precedent established by NBA Front Offices.