Is Brandon Ingram a max player?
The New Orleans Pelicans don’t think so and don’t want to pay him. reports Christian Clark of the Times-Picyune, following his and other previous reports. Ingram is entering the final year of his contract at $36 million for next season and is eligible for a four-year, maximum $208 million extension – $52 million per year, which is a bit rich for New Orleans’ tastes for Ingram.
The Pelicans like Ingram’s talent and his down-to-earth personality, but as The Times-Picayune reported in May, the team is unwilling to pay him a contract with an average annual value of $52 million. That leaves the Pelicans three options: sign Ingram to an extension on his number below the max; enter the 2024-2025 season with Ingram on an expiring contract; or move Ingram somewhere else.
Igram has value, he is a quality shot maker who averaged 20.8 points and 5.7 assists per game last season while shooting 35.5% from 3. He also has a long history of injuries and did not turn back quickly from back, last season’s 64 games were the most he’s played since his rookie season (to be fair, he played 62 and 61 in the two COVID-shortened 72-game seasons).
Previous reports suggested the Pelicans would be “aggressive” in seeking roster upgrades this summer and were expected to explore trading Ingram. Part of that is because he never quite connected with Zion Williamson. The challenge is that the Pelicans need a shot maker in any deal, perhaps ideally at the guard spot next to McCollum (perhaps someone like Atlanta’s Trae Young or Dejounte Murray, or Cleveland’s Darius Garland, although the Cavaliers may not trade anyone). Other names always pop up unexpectedly.
Is there any team willing to pay Ingram the max, or will he get something closer to $40 million, closer to what he will make this season? Would the Pelicans want to keep him at that number? At 26 years old, Ingram should be reaching his peak.
Either way, expect a lot of Ingram rumors this season, he will be at the center of everything that happens in New Orleans.
