5. Brandon Ingram, 23, New Orleans Pelicans
The jump that Brandon Ingram has made after being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans (from the Los Angeles Lakers) is actually quite impressive. He’s one of the NBA’s best scorers and is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he’s averaged at least 24 points per game.
In addition to his 24 points per contest, Ingram averaged five assists and five rebounds per game. He shot an efficient 47 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range. Ingram still isn’t respected as such but is clearly one of the better young players in the game.
Assuming that he continues to grow alongside Zion, there’s no question that the Pelicans will emerge as a threat in the Western Conference over the course of the next few seasons.