The importance of this offseason for the Philadelphia 76ers cannot be overstated. Fresh off a first-round exit at the hands of the New York Knicks in the 2024 NBA playoffs, there is no better time for the 76ers to improve their team than in the months that will follow. In addition to having the 16th overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, they will be flush with cap space to bolster the roster around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

A popular target for the 76ers to fill the third star role alongside Embiid and Maxey is Paul George; George is someone whom the Los Angeles Clippers fanbase has soured on, and there appears to be no indications that the Clippers are budging on their stance to not give the 34-year old forward his desired max contract.

However, the Clippers still remain the favorite to sign George this offseason. They have little in the way of improving the team if George departs via free agency after all. Thus, in the event that George stays in Los Angeles, the 76ers will be setting their sights on another All-Star forward in Brandon Ingram, who appears to be on the outs with the New Orleans Pelicans.

“Aside from the pipe dream that Kevin Durant or Jimmy Butler would ask to be dealt directly to Philly, sources familiar with the Sixers’ thinking say that Brandon Ingram is the primary fallback plan,” Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer wrote.

One would recall that the 76ers attempted to swing for the fences and inquired about the availability of Durant at the 2024 trade deadline. Butler also represents an enticing trade option, as he has maintained a good friendship with Joel Embiid thanks to the few months they shared as teammates back in the 2018-19 season. However, trading for either one will be of extreme difficulty.

The 76ers will have to swing a trade with the Pelicans if they were to acquire Brandon Ingram's services. But O'Connor wrote that the 76ers will be able to absorb Ingram's $36 million contract (plus a 15 percent trade kicker) into cap space, making them an ideal trade partner for the Pelicans as they look to retool with the assets they'll be getting from Philly.

Is Brandon Ingram enough to move the needle for the 76ers?

The 76ers have not gotten past the second round for the entirety of Joel Embiid's stint with the franchise to this point. Thus, acquiring a third star to help push them over the hump is a must as they look to make use of their considerable cap space. They will have to move quickly as well as they will have to sign Tyrese Maxey to a huge deal sooner than later, as they will not want to risk him signing an offer sheet.

Now, will Brandon Ingram be the answer to the 76ers' problem? That is a fair question to ask. Ingram, at his best, is tailor-made for the postseason; his playstyle should allow him to thrive in the bogged-down, slower-pace of playoff basketball. He is a three-level scorer who can create his shot anytime, and when he has it going, especially from the midrange, he is ridiculously difficult to stop.

However, there are a few concerns surrounding Ingram and his ability to be at his best in a sustainable manner. First of all, Ingram has his fair share of injury problems. He has missed 82 games over the past three seasons, so he's not exactly the poster child for durability. With injury concerns already surrounding the 76ers' best player in Joel Embiid, is it the best idea to bring in another player who's likely to miss time?

Ingram's performance during the Pelicans' disappointing showing in the 2024 NBA playoffs did not help his stock at all as well. On paper, he appears suited for the postseason style of basketball. But Luguentz Dort made his life a living hell and exposed his poor body language in the face of adversity.

Nonetheless, Ingram is only going to enter his age-27 season. He should be squarely in his prime, and there might be a higher level for him to unlock if he does end up experiencing a change of scenery and a chance to play off of two legitimate superstars in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Ingram is seven years younger than Paul George; thus, if the 76ers decide to go for Ingram instead, they'll be having an All-Star-caliber player for a longer period of time. They'll have to re-sign Ingram to a big contract soon, but he's a safer player to go for with the franchise's long-term health in mind.