For the entire 2024-25 NBA season and for much of the offseason, the New Orleans Pelicans were predicted to trade wing Brandon Ingram. Ingram will be a free agent at the end of this season and is seeking a max deal from potential suitors.
Ingram has averaged a solid 22.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists over the last season and has shot 37% from 3-point range, making him one of the better offensive players in the league, although he hasn’t played 65 or more games since his rookie season in 2016-17.
The Pelicans, despite their best efforts, have been unable to trade Ingram. Why would a team agree to a one-year rental when they are unlikely to offer him a massive deal in free agency, after all?
With the entire league seemingly no longer interested in Ingram, or at least not for the price he wants, the Pelicans have to pivot and find a different solution.
As a solid wing scorer, Ingram has fit in well with CJ McCollum, Zion Williamson and Herb Jones when that foursome is healthy, making the playoffs twice. Injuries have held the franchise back, but with a talented roster (again, when healthy), the Pelicans could just keep him on the roster.
“I’m told that the Pelicans still remain open to re-signing Ingram this summer after the sides were unable to agree to a contract extension this past offseason,” wrote NBA insider Jake Fischer on Saturday.
Of course, Ingram and the Pelicans seem to be on the outs after failing to reach an extension, although the one-time All-Star could stick his tail between his legs and head back to New Orleans if he is unable to find a better deal in free agency. The Pelicans have the means to give him a sizable, but not max, deal.
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