Former NBA officer John Hollinger, who now composes for The Athletic, proposed a “fake trade” in between the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic. 

Check it out:

Brandon Ingram and Cole Anthony to Cleveland; Darius Garland to Orlando; Wendell Carter Jr., Jett Howard and Caris LeVert to New Orleans

Ingram balanced 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 helps, 0.8 takes and 0.6 blocks for the Pelicans in 2023-24 while shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line.

Ingram remains in the last year of his agreement. He’ll make $36 million in 2024-25.

The Pelicans are open to trading Ingram, however groups are reluctant to get the Duke item considering that he desires a $200 million extension, numerous NBA sources informed Hoops Wire. 

Garland balanced 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.5 helps, 1.3 takes and 0.1 blocks for the Cavaliers in 2023-24 while shooting 44.6% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 83.4% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $36.7 million next season.

Garland doesn’t have a no-trade provision in his agreement. There have actually been reports that Klutch Sports Group will ask the Cavaliers to trade Garland considering that they won’t desire him beside Donovan Mitchell, however Rich Paul hasn’t sent a trade demand (yet).

LeVert balanced 14.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 helps, 1.1 takes and 0.5 blocks for the Cavaliers this previous season while shooting 42.1% from the field, 32.5% from 3 and 76.6% from the nasty line. The swingman will make $16.6 million next season in the last year of his agreement. 

For the Magic, Carter Jr. balanced 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 helps, 0.6 takes and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 52.5% total, 37.4% from 3 and 69.4% from the free-throw line. The huge man will make $11.9 million next season. 

Finally, Anthony balanced 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.9 helps, 0.8 takes and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 for the Magic while shooting 43.5% total, 33.8% from 3 and 82.6% from the free-throw line. The guard will make $12.9 million next season. 

The Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2nd round of the 2024 NBA playoffs in 5 video games, the Magic lost to the Cavaliers in the preliminary in 7 video games and the Pelicans got swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the preliminary.