Joe Ingles has been a linchpin for head coach Quin Snyder and the Utah Jazz. However, his time with the organization may be coming to an end.
Numerous reports (e.g. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and ESPN’s Zach Lowe) have alluded to Ingles being a sought-after player on the trade market. Although he’s in the midst of a down year, the 34-year-old Ingles is an efficient shooter, who can facilitate, hit the boards and defend well. He fits in any NBA system.
Here are three ideal trade destinations for Joe Ingles.
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3. Joe Ingles gives the Chicago Bulls a veteran shooter
The Bulls own the one seed in the Eastern Conference and have every reason to be operating as a contender in the Eastern Conference at the NBA trade deadline. Acquiring Ingles would be them doing as such.
Chicago has a bevy of scorers but could use more depth. Ingles can take on one of two roles with the Bulls. On one hand, he could start in the frontcourt, stretching the floor for DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. The other scenario sees Ingles come off the bench, assuming some ball-handling duties.
- Joe Ingles stats (career): 8.7 points, 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45.2/41.2/76.8
Ingles would further enhance one of the elite shooting teams in the NBA. An NBA team can never have enough shooting, especially a team like the Bulls that’s yet to make the playoffs with their current core. Whether it be in the starting five or the second unit, Ingles gives the Bulls a battle-tested player who can do a little bit of everything. He provides them with a precise skill set that doesn’t exist in their rotation.
The Bulls move Derrick Jones Jr. and a future second-rounder to Utah for Ingles. All that said, Chicago may prefer to ride it out with those in the building, banking on having enough depth and opting to not trade for an impending free agent.
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2. Joe Ingles bolsters the Portland Trail Blazers
Despite the potential for Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum to be moved and the team’s precarious front office situation, the Trail Blazers insist they’re staying the course. A move for Ingles fits their organizational mindset.
Presumably a member of the starting five, Ingles accompanies the high-level play of Lillard and McCollum with elite shooting. Furthermore, Ingles give the Trail Blazers another player who can score while improving an overall yawning defensive team.
- Joe Ingles contract per Spotrac: last season of a one-year, $13 million deal
The positive in Portland’s awful start (they’re the 12th seed in the Western Conference) has been the development of Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little. The two youngsters, McCollum, Norman Powell and Ingles would make for a prolific perimeter corps on the offensive end. For better or worse, Portland has the talent to be a respectable force in the Western Conference, and Ingles would improve their chances of going on a deep playoff run.
Portland sends Robert Covington, CJ Elleby and a future second-rounder to Utah for the short-term upgrade. The factor that could stop Portland from making a move for Ingles, though, is them feeling he doesn’t improve them enough to make a trade.
1. Joe Ingles to the Denver Nuggets
Michael Porter Jr.’s season is likely over, and Jamal Murray hasn’t returned to the floor yet. In other words, it’s extremely difficult to envision the Denver Nuggets winning the West. But they’ll definitely give it a shot because they have one of the five best players in the NBA in Nikola Jokic. Ingles is an optimum fit in head coach Mike Malone’s offense.
As is, the Nuggets need more offense. Will Barton and Aaron Gordon have been respectable on that end of the floor, but it’s not enough for Denver to win multiple playoff series. With Jokic being the focus of defensive attention and him getting his points all over the floor, Ingles can handle the rock a bit. At times, he’ll have an open look from beyond the arc when Jokic is double-teamed and/or when Gordon attacks the rack.
Ingles fits the Nuggets’ defensive mold while providing them with someone who excels in the halfcourt. When Murray returns to the floor, Ingles is another player who can score in-between the star guard and Jokic. He’s a Denver Nuggets type of player.
Denver sends JaMychal Green and P.J. Dozier to Utah for Ingles. The latter gets a pair of rotation-caliber players who fit their rotation, as the Jazz have a plethora of efficient shooters.