Brandon Ingram is on his approach out of New Orleans. The Pelicans are sending Ingram to the Toronto Raptors in change for Bruce Brown Jr. and Kelly Olynyk with one first-round decide and one second-round decide, in response to a workforce supply.
Ingram, 27, lastly finds a brand new residence after virtually 10 months of uncertainty surrounding his future and numerous conversations about his worth within the market underneath the restrictive guidelines of the brand new CBA.
Together with nearly everybody else on the New Orleans Pelicans roster, Ingram has gone by means of an injury-riddled 2024-25 season that’s left him sidelined for a lot of what was purported to be crucial 12 months of his profession. He’s performed in solely 18 of the Pelicans’ 51 video games this season, averaging 22.2 factors, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
Ingram hasn’t performed in practically two months after struggling a high-grade, low left ankle sprain on Dec. 7. His prolonged harm absence, together with a bevy of accidents to different key contributors on the workforce, has led to the Pelicans having a stunningly unhealthy (12-39) report.
Ingram got here into the season hoping his play on the court docket would assist him earn the profitable contract he’s been looking for since final summer season — with New Orleans or one other workforce. However his workforce’s struggles and his lack of ability to remain wholesome left him with few choices.
Ingram has been eligible to signal a four-year, $207.8 million max extension since final July, however the Pelicans have been hesitant handy him such a large deal after already handing out huge contracts to Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy in recent times. Understanding the monetary implications it might have on a small-market workforce that has by no means paid the posh tax in its 23-year existence, the Pelicans determined to attract the road with Ingram.
After failing to succeed in phrases on a brand new deal, it was clear that Ingram’s time with the Pelicans was coming to an finish. He was set to enter unrestricted free company in the summertime of 2025.
Each Ingram and New Orleans sought out potential commerce locations that might A) present the Pelicans with the belongings they wished and B) current a suitor prepared to provide Ingram the profitable extension he wished. The Pelicans spoke with a number of groups about Ingram, however they couldn’t discover a deal that gained any actual traction till Wednesday.
Throughout his six seasons with the Pelicans, Ingram made an All-Star workforce, reached the playoffs twice and changed into one of the prolific scorers in franchise historical past. Nonetheless, his awkward match subsequent to Pelicans star Zion Williamson — the 2 stars performed simply 154 video games collectively in 5 ½ seasons — his reluctance to modernize his offensive method and his ongoing points with sturdiness made it tough for New Orleans to commit to a different long-term contract with Ingram.
A few of those self same considerations led different groups to go on their alternative to noticeably pursue Ingram within the commerce market.
Ingram has solely performed 65-plus video games in a season as soon as within the first 9 years of his profession, and that was his rookie season with the Lakers. He was on the verge of getting one of many healthiest seasons of his profession in 2023-24, however he suffered a left knee bone contusion that almost sidelined him for the ultimate month of the common season.
When at his finest, Ingram has proven he’s greater than able to scoring and playmaking in addition to most huge wings across the NBA. His consolation with knocking robust photographs down within the midrange separates him from most. He’s additionally made main strides as a facilitator and a vocal chief within the locker room.
Nonetheless, he’s struggled at instances to show he can persistently carry out at a degree that’s required from somebody looking for a contract that’s value $50-plus million per 12 months.
With Ingram headed to a brand new franchise, there will likely be main questions on whether or not or not he can regain his All-Star kind and show it was the fitting transfer by Toronto to amass him. For New Orleans, Ingram’s departure permits it to totally decide to a future constructed round Williamson and Murphy because the faces of the franchise.
(Photograph: Sean Gardner / Getty Photographs)
