MAJOR Update on LA Clippers Flipping Brandon Ingram To Recoup Picks Lost in Kawhi Leonard Investigation

A major update has emerged on the recent rumors that the Los Angeles Clippers could move Brandon Ingram in another trade to try to get back some of the first-round picks they lost in the punishment from the Kawhi Leonard investigation.

Last week, the NBA revealed the Clippers' punishment following a year-long investigation into salary cap circumvention to win the Leonard free agent sweepstakes in 2019. And it was historic.

The Clippers will have to forfeit five future first-round picks. The franchise was fined $30 million. Owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for a year. President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker is suspended without pay for a year, and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank is suspended without pay for 6 months. Also, Leonard was hit with a $700,000 fine.

Will the Los Angeles Clippers trade Brandon Ingram?

The worst part of the punishment for the team and fans is losing five valuable first-rounders over the next half-decade. It is a penalty that many NBA analysts have considered a living death for five years. However, the organization could get some signs of life and offer hope if they were willing to move some of the assets they have to get some future first-round picks.

That is why Ingram's name has popped up in trade rumors despite the trade that is sending him from Toronto to LA for Leonard not even being completed yet. The two-time All-Star is right in his prime at 29 years old, and he has a player option for 2027-28 . For playoff contenders that see a lot of value in the 10-year veteran, they might be willing to part with one or two first-round picks for him.

However, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, that's not going to happen. In a new Bleacher Report live stream, he said: "I've been given no indication that the Clippers are actively looking to move Brandon Ingram at this period."

Why the Los Angeles Clippers won't trade Brandon Ingram

The Clippers having no plans to flip Ingram isn't a surprise. Is this going to be a lost season for LA? Yes. Are they rebuilding? Yes. Could they use more first-rounders to help in that process? Absolutely. But they still need to play games next season and hopefully draw some fans to the Intuit Dome in the fall, winter, and spring.

If you move Ingram for picks, it leaves a lineup with Darius Garland and rookie Keaton Wagler as the best players. With that duo leading the way, the Clippers would be set up for a historically bad season. That would be a nightmare decision after what happened last week.

Ingram is not a superstar, but he is a pretty good player. He can easily put up All-Star numbers again next season and give LA fans something to watch. Plus, it takes pressure off Wagler and allows him to develop. Furthermore, Garland, as a second scoring option, is a better fit for him. They probably won't make the playoffs, but with a good coach like Tyronn Lue, maybe they can compete for a play-in spot this season.