Shams Charania has done it again! He successfully caused a stir on a perfect Sunday morning with his breaking news involving Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans star, who is seemingly the obvious choice to be shipped out of New Orleans, has made a big career decision.

According to Shams, Ingram has signed with the Klutch Sports Group. The sports agency headed by Rich Paul is famed for getting their clients the best deals possible. And with the trade season upon us, there’s probably no better time than now to join Paul’s company. His clients include LeBron James, his son Bronny, Anthony Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt, Lonzo Ball and more. The pattern is quite visible — most of his clients land somewhere near LeBron and the Lakers.

With Ingram’s name splashed in the trade market, fans on social media believe this decision is a clear indication of him getting a move to the Lakers. So they all gathered to express their speculations and remarks.

Fans cause chaos linking Brandon Ingram to the Lakers

A fan on X wrote, “Ingram to the Lakers for DLo vanderbilt and christie”, stating the common sentiment among the masses. Considering the connection Paul shares with LeBron, it only seemed natural for fans to anticipate that the 27-year-old would be moving to Los Angeles. Since D’Angelo Russell and Max Christie haven’t been in top form, the fan suggested they could be traded for Ingram, along with Jarred Vanderbilt, who has been out for over nine months and hasn’t recovered from his surgeries on both feet.

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“Damn they shipping him back to the Lakers to try and help Lebron,” another fan echoed the same sentiment. After one year at Duke, Ingram declared for the 2016 NBA Draft and was selected by the Lakers as the 2nd overall pick. About three seasons later, he was part of the trade that brought Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. Now, fans are speculating that he could be traded back to his former franchise to help LeBron James and Co.

However, someone seemed happy with the decision. “Let’s go BI is a Laker once again,” they wrote. Lakers head coach JJ Redick could utilize Ingram into his strategies, especially since the team lacks depth and heavily relies on LeBron and AD. The return could ultimately be beneficial for both the player and the Lakers.

Whereas another fan pointed out, “Ingram about to get a bag.” Ingram signed a $158 million max contract with the Pelicans four years ago, which will remain valid through next season. To extend his tenure with the franchise, he reportedly requested a max extension, but the organization did not agree to the terms. Enter Paul, with his offer. Fans know all too well that joining hands with Klutch Sports means a financial upgrade.

Though a majority of fans highlighted that Ingram would going to the Lakers, there’s a fan who reminded that not everyone can afford him. “So many people stating teams but doesn’t anyone understand cap space? Not many teams have it to offer him a near max contract,” their comment read. According to Evan Sidery, “Ingram’s desire remains for an eventual max contract, which has limited his market of potentially interested teams.” The insider also stated that the Pelicans will reevaluate the forward’s value in the trade market. The fan rightly mentioned that every team wouldn’t be able to acquire him for the contract he is demanding. The Lakers have already taken a hit to their cap space, so unless they move some players from their roster, landing Ingram seems like a difficult prospect.

There is no doubt that the All-Star forward will put up impressive numbers for whichever franchise he joins. So far, he is averaging 22.9 points, along with more than 5 rebounds and assists per game. However, consistency has been a major issue for him. The most games Brandon Ingram has played in a season is 64, missing a chunk of games throughout his career. But this move could open new opportunities for him to flourish, and who knows, it might turn his luck around.