The New Orleans Pelicans reportedly agreed to trade former All-Star forward and 2020 Most Improved Player Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, netting the franchise two experience role players and draft capital in return.
“Breaking: The New Orleans Pelicans have traded Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors for Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, one first-round pick and one second-rounder, sources tell ESPN,” ESPN’s Shams Charania shared via Twitter/X on Wednesday night.
By sending Ingram to join Toronto’s All-Star Scottie Barnes, versatile guard RJ Barrett and microwave scorer Immanuel Quickley, New Orleans received role players that may hold immense value to contending teams looking to dump draft picks for established veteran help.
The Pelicans finally part with their skilled scorer after nearly six full seasons, averaging 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 305 games with the franchise after being arriving via trade from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019.
The 27-year-old offensive-minded veteran had contributed 22.2 points on a respectable 53.0% effective field goal percentage this season for New Orleans in 18 appearances prior to being dealt.
New Orleans shipping their star forward out could mark a new era for the franchise, or at the very least signify that more transactions are on the way in order to obtain first-round draft selections and prepare for the future.
These were not the decisions the franchise’s front office planned on making at the mid-season mark, but constant injuries ravaged the entire roster.
Due to the combined absence of several star-caliber talents like Ingram, Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III, the team’s current 12-39 record is simply a reflection of their high-end players’ injury misfortune.
More NBA: What jersey number will Jimmy Butler wear with Warriors? How former Heat star could retain number in Golden State
