Saints trade idea ships $24.5 million star to AFC contender

Saints trade idea ships $24.5 million star to AFC contender originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New Orleans Saints are trending in the wrong direction.

To be fair, you would have been hard-pressed to find a fan or analyst who believed in the Saints going into head coach Kellen Moore's first season on the job; it was always going to take a year or two for things to stabilize.

But considering the way this season is going, New Orleans may want to consider cutting ties with players who aren't in the Saints' long-term plans.

Saints trade idea ships Alvin Kamara to the Chargers

Among players most likely to be traded ahead of the early November deadline, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox named Saints running back Alvin Kamara as a name to watch, specifically citing the Los Angeles Chargers as a possible suitor.

"The 30-year-old is a versatile dual-threat who has had a storied career in New Orleans. However, the Saints have been giving real opportunities to third-year back Kendre Miller this year and could be open to moving Kamara," wrote Knox.

"There's a chance the five-time Pro Bowler would be a cap casualty next offseason anyway. New Orleans is projected to be $18.8 million over the salary cap, and it could save $8.5 million by releasing him with a post-June 1 designation in the spring."

Kamara would be a perfect fit in Los Angeles and in Jim Harbaugh's offense.

Injuries have piled up for the Chargers, especially at running back with Najee Harris out for the season and Omarion Hampton missing time with an ankle injury.

Acquiring Kamara for a projected conditional 2026 fourth-round pick would be a homerun for Los Angeles, and would create a two-headed monster in the backfield when Hampton returns.

If the Chargers are serious about solidifying themselves as a contender, and the Saints want to improve their future outlook, this is a trade that makes too much sense for both sides.

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