Predicting the Raptors perfect starting lineup after a home run offseason

Small Forward: Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram was once thought to be the second coming of Kevin Durant. He certainly looks the part, with his incredibly long, skinny limbs and a smooth jumpshot that seems impossible to block. Like RJ Barrett, Ingram was a product of Duke University and their pipeline of NBA players, but upon arriving in the league he hasn't delivered on that superstar upside.

Lost in that (somewhat) unfair comparison and letdown is the fact that Ingram is an extremely talented player who has grown into a well-rounded forward playing in New Orleans. He won Most Improved Player and made his first and only All-Star appearance in 2019-20, but since then he has developed his passing and playmaking to become a player with fewer holes in his game.

Despite that growth, Ingram is on a New Orleans team stocked with similarly-sized players and the team looks ready to make a change in the Ingram-Zion Williamson pairing. That means Ingram will be available this summer on the trade market, and while there won't be many suitors, the Raptors make a lot of sense as the team that should win the bidding.

Ingram can slot in between Barrett and Scottie Barnes, spacing the court and running offense himself while getting backside defensive help from Barnes and center Jakob Poeltl (or, in this version of an offseason, another accomplished rim protector). That help behind him was not present in New Orleans, putting pressure on Ingram to keep his man on the perimeter at all costs. More support means he will be set up to succeed.

Ingram is not a perfect player, and it's possible the fit between he and Scottie Barnes is not a positive one. It's likely worth a shot, however, and having four lethal offensive players starting at the 1-4 would be a sight to behold.