NBA Trade Rumors: Brandon Ingram’s Market Called ‘Limited’ by Pelicans’ Rivals

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJuly 15, 2024

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The trade market for New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram “is currently limited,” according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Charania cited the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs as teams that showed some interest in Ingram before pivoting to other targets.

Ingram is entering the last year of his contract, and the absence of an agreement with New Orleans is evidence of a continued divide with the Pels. NBA insider Marc Stein reported on July 11 that Ingram’s believed to be angling for a four-year deal worth as much as $210 million. His demand is probably dissuading outside suitors from making a serious run at him, too.

“The Pelicans have made it clear that they won’t go to those lengths to re-sign him and, while various teams have explored Ingram trades since the offseason began in earnest, no other team willing to sign the 26-year-old at those numbers has yet emerged … with league sources saying that Ingram’s camp has also joined the efforts to find one,” Stein added.

Since arriving in New Orleans in 2019, Ingram is averaging 23.1 points on 47.2 percent shooting. His first season in the Big Easy saw him make an All-Star team and earn the Most Improved Player award. That’s kind of where his game has plateaued, though, and his limitations are tough to ignore within the context of the fact he’s due to get another contract.

Ingram hasn’t made 70-plus appearances in a season since his rookie year in 2016-17. He has become more limited as a scorer, averaging just 3.8 three-point attempts per game in 2023-24. And the Pelicans have yet to get out of the first round with him as a leading figure.

The performance of the 6’8″ forward in the 2024 postseason was particularly concerning. Going up against an elite defender in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Lu Dort, he averaged just 14.3 points on 34.5 percent shooting in a four-game sweep.

Dan Devine @YourManDevineFound this screenshot of Lu Dort guarding Brandon Ingram in this series pic.twitter.com/hSrEk3QGpL

It’s still too early to write off an Ingram trade before opening night. Damian Lillard’s move to the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t materialize until last September, and that’s the same month in 2022 when the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Donovan Mitchell.

However, some movement in New Orleans’ asking price and/or Ingram’s contract demands might be required for a transaction to get across the finish line.