New Orleans Pelicans Stance on Brandon Ingram's Future Shared by Insider

An NBA insider has provided some intel on how things could unfold between Brandon Ingram and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Apr 16, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) is introduced before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers in a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center.
Apr 16, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) is introduced before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers in a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

There has been a lot of discussion during the 2024 NBA offseason about what the future holds for New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram. Earlier in the summer, it certainly looked like his future would be elsewhere.

The Pelicans were reportedly shopping him on the trade market for a multitude of reasons. The biggest one was money.

Entering the final year of his current contract, Ingram is seeking a long-term deal. The two sides were not close, which prompted the team to see what kind of market existed for him around the league.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, that market is limited. That should come as no surprise as front offices around the league are navigating a new landscape of aprons and repeated penalties.

There just aren’t many teams that have the assets required to land a player of Ingram’s caliber or the cap space to bring him on and sign him to an extension. That could change, especially if the Utah Jazz go through with signing Lauri Markkanen to a long-term deal and want to upgrade the roster around him.

Another reason that people thought Ingram would be on the move is the current construction of New Orleans’ roster. After acquiring Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks earlier this offseason, it felt like another move was eventually coming.

Trading Ingram seemed like a logical next step, especially because the Pelicans have wings to step into his spot in the lineup. Trey Murphy is ready for a larger role and the team could also look to give 2023 first-round pick Jordan Hawkins some added minutes in Year 2.

Alas, that isn’t something the New Orleans front office sounds like they want to do. During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Charania added that Ingram wants to stay with the Pelicans and the feeling is mutual.

Right now, the expectation is that Ingram will be a part of the team for the start of the 2024-25 season. There is a team mini-camp at the end of August that he is expected to be at and participate in as well.

From what Charania is sharing, it sounds as if New Orleans wants to see how things look with this current core before exploring trades center around Ingram again. Willie Green will have his hands full figuring out lineup combinations as the team is lacking options at center and has a logjam on the wing.


Published
Kenneth Teape
KENNETH TEAPE

Kenneth Teape is an alumnus of SUNY Old Westbury and graduated in 2013 with an Honors Degree in Media Communications with a focus on print journalism. During his time at Old Westbury, he worked for the school newspaper and several online publications, such as Knicks Now, the official website of the New York Knicks, and a self-made website with fellow students, Gotham City Sports News. Kenneth has also been a site expert at Empire Writes Back, Musket Fire, and Lake Show Life within the FanSided Network. He was a contributor to HoopsHabit, with work featured on Bleacher Report and Yardbarker. In addition to his work here, he is a reporter for both NBA Analysis Network and NFL Analysis Network, as well as a writer and editor for Packers Coverage. You can follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @teapester725, or reach him via email at teapester725@gmail.com.