The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly targeted on discovering an acceptable commerce associate for veteran ahead Brandon Ingram, who’s within the midst of his contract yr. In response to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks, buying and selling Ingram “is the precedence” for the Pelicans previous to the Feb. 6 commerce deadline.
Pelicans Commerce Rumors: Brandon Ingram Seeks A 4-12 months, $200 Million Contract Extension
Earlier this month, Ingram signed with Wealthy Paul’s Klutch Sports activities Group. The 6-foot-8 Ingram was beforehand represented by Excel Sports activities Administration.
Ingram was chosen No. 2 total by the Los Angeles Lakers within the 2016 NBA draft out of Duke. After his first three seasons in 2019, the Lakers traded him to New Orleans in change for Anthony Davis.
The 27-year-old signed a five-year, $158.25 million most contract extension with New Orleans in 2020, however the group has been unable to return to phrases on one other new deal.
This implies buying and selling Ingram is essentially the most logical transfer for New Orleans, so the group doesn’t lose him for nothing in free company. The nine-year veteran suffered a high-grade low left ankle sprain in early December, and he has missed New Orleans’ previous 9 video games.
Brandon Ingram touchdown with the Spurs remains to be very a lot a powerful chance main as much as February’s commerce deadline. https://t.co/S9melJyTIE
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) December 31, 2024
Per MacMahon and Marks, the Sacramento Kings just lately inquired about Ingram, together with Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Cam Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), and Kyle Kuzma (Washington Wizards). The San Antonio Spurs are one other potential touchdown spot for Ingram as nicely, studies NBA insider Jake Weinbach.
Even then, in accordance with ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, the Pelicans have struggled to discover a group that’s prepared to tackle Ingram’s present wage and meet his future contract calls for of a four-year, $200 million extension.
“Discovering a spot the place New Orleans can ship Ingram’s $36 million wage and get worth whereas additionally lowering wage — the Pelicans are presently within the luxurious tax for the primary time ever and never more likely to keep there — is tough sufficient. However discovering a take care of a group Ingram will probably be comfy signing a brand new contract with has additionally stalled talks, per sources,” wrote Bontemps and Windhorst.
Ingram Has Solely Performed In 65 Or Extra Video games Simply As soon as
When wholesome this season, Brandon Ingram has continued to play at a excessive degree, averaging 22.2 factors, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 18 video games (all begins). The Duke product has additionally shot 46.5% from the sector and 37.4% from past the arc.
For the dangerous information, Ingram has handled a number of accidents over the previous 4 years. The North Carolina native has performed in 65 or extra video games in a season solely as soon as in his profession, and never since his rookie marketing campaign with the Lakers in 2016-17.
Final season, Ingram performed in 64 video games, which was the second-highest complete of his profession. Nevertheless, he’s projected to look in fewer than 60 video games for the third time previously 4 seasons.
In 2019-20, he was the NBA’s Most Improved Participant and was named an All-Star for the primary and solely time after averaging 23.8 factors, a career-high 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steals.
Having mentioned all of this, the Pelicans’ issues this season transcend Ingram’s contract state of affairs. New Orleans is a league-worst 5-28 principally as a result of the group misplaced its beginning lineup to accidents.
Along with Ingram lacking time with an ankle harm, Zion Williamson (hamstring), Herb Jones (shoulder), Dejounte Murray (hand), Jose Alvarado (shoulder), and CJ McCollum (abductor) have all missed vital time.
For the reason that Pelicans may not ever get to know what they’ve at full power, now could be the proper time for the group to amass draft picks and gamers for Ingram earlier than he turns into a free agent.
