No, Brandon Ingram isn’t Kevin Durant, but he’s making the Pelicans’ Anthony Davis trade look so good

What a breakout!

Of all the “gonna tell my kids” memes — which are great, keep ’em coming — the one that made me stop in my tracks was all the comparisons made (probably in jest but whatever) by NBA fans between Brandon Ingram and Kevin Durant.

Durant, of course, is a once-in-a-generation player, who will end his career as one of the league’s greatest scorers.

That said, Ingram has broken out in a BIG way for the New Orleans Pelicans, who dealt for him as part of the Anthony Davis trade. He’s leading the Pelicans in scoring (25.6 ppg), is second in rebounds (7.4 rpg), and is dishing at a career-best 4.1 apg. Plus, he’s swatting a shot per game and hitting 45 percent (!) of his 5.5 three-point attempts.

This is obviously the best news ever for the Pels, who were forced to deal The Brow and attempt to get the bet possible value for a disgruntled superstar. And I’d say they got a terrific return: Ingram has become a centerpiece as a stretch scorer. Josh Hart has taken a step forward as a shooter off the bench. Lonzo Ball has missed time with a groin injury, and although his shooting continues to be a problem, he’s not the starter, which masks some of his weaknesses and focuses on his strengths like his defense.

Plus, the Pels ended up trading the first-round pick that was De’Andre Hunter to the Hawks and got the eighth overall selection, which they used to take Jaxson Hayes, who will be a rim protector as he develops.

When’s the last time there’s been a pretty even trade like this one?

But really, it’s all about Ingram. Let’s all remember he’s just turned 22 and is in just his fourth season. The hope is he’ll keep this up when Zion Williamson returns, but even if the rookie takes a little chunk out of his workload, Ingram will still be a vital part of the rebuild in the Big Easy.

[opinary poll=”will-luka-doncic-win-an-mvp-award-during” customer=”forthewin”]