Former Lakers Lottery Pick Signs With Klutch Sports Ahead of Free Agency

Ricardo Sandoval | Dec 1, 2024

Nov 22, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball (2) and forward Brandon Ingram (14) react during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images / Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Former Los Angeles Lakers lottery pick and forward Brandon Ingram has signed with Klutch Sports Group.

Sources told ESPN's Shams Charnaia on Sunday.

New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram – currently set to be the top free agent in the 2025 offseason – is signing with Klutch Sports Group, sources told ESPN.

Story: https://t.co/WRSI7RVefk

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 1, 2024

Ingram is set to be the top off-season free agent and has made a massive decision in the middle of the 2024-25 campaign.

The current Pelican forward and New Orleans were unable to reach a contract extension or a trade elsewhere during the offseason. The 27-year-old had $36 million left on his contract this season and became a free agent in his upcoming summer. The one-time All-Star is averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game this season but is currently sidelined with right calf soreness.

After his All-Star season, New Orleans signed Ingram to a five-year, $158 million max deal with the club in Nov. 2020.

The Lakers selected Ingram with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft from Duke University. He spent the first three seasons of his career as a Laker and was quite solid for the then-up-and-coming L.A. team.

Ingram averaged 13.9 points per game, 4.7 rebounds., 2.9 assists and 0.6 steals while shooting 46 percent from the field and 32 percent from three in 190 games and 151 starts.

Ingram was only bound to get better, but the Lakers needed to win now, which is why he, along with Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, the draft rights to De'Andre Hunter, two first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, and cash to the Pelicans for All-Star Anthony Davis in June 2019.

As a Laker, Ingram was named to the NBA All-rookie Second Team in 2017. Prior to his time in the NBA, Ingram was a standout player at Duke. He spent one season in Durham, where he was named ACC Rookie of the Year, Second-team All-ACC, and was an AP Honorable Mention All-American.

Ingram averaged 17.3 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, shooting 44 percent from the field and 41 percent from three in 36 games.

Many now expect the Lakers to make a move for Ingram, considering he is now with LeBron James and Davis' agency, Klutch. The Lakers are always looking to upgrade their team, but the odds of the Pelicans trading Ingram back to L.A. seem unlikely.

However, the two sides could reach an agreement in the upcoming summer, when Ingram will be a free agent.

Nonetheless, keep an eye on Ingram and the Lakers as we approach the NBA trade deadline and this upcoming summer.

More Lakers: Lonzo Ball Shockingly Shades Kobe Bryant During GOAT Debate