There is a major question mark overlooking the New Orleans Pelicans With just over a month to go until the start of the 2024-25 regular season, what will happen to Brandon Ingram?
The All-Star forward is seeking a lucrative contract extension, something the Pelicans have been unwilling to do so far.
For now, everything seems to indicate that Ingram will stay in New Orleans, as they want to see how their new team performs before seeing what the next step should be. But the next step is clear: trade Ingram.
Of course, that’s easier said than done. It takes two to tango on a trade and its market has been light, so far.
But that doesn’t mean management shouldn’t stop trying. Here are four reasons why a trade is the best option for Ingram and the Pelicans.
There are a lot of talented players on the New Orleans roster. According to the NBA 2K ratings that were revealed, they are one of the deepest teams with several players ranked in the top 100.
However, when you look at the positions they fill, a clear need emerges. Trading Ingram would be addition by subtraction.
That would clear a logjam on the wing and is their best chance to find an upgrade at center. Ingram has enough value, even on an expiring contract, that a useful big man could join Daniel Theis, Yves Missi and Trey Jemison.
The biggest issue regarding Ingram’s future is his contract situation. He is entering the final year of his current deal and would like to get some long-term security on an extension.
If the Pelicans aren’t willing to give the soon-to-be 27-year-old the type of contract extension he’s seeking, a trade would also be the most logical solution for him.
While cap space is tight in the league right now, there are plenty of franchises that would love to add someone with Ingram’s versatile skill set. He’s not at the top of his game yet, but he still has plenty of upside to go.
As things stand, head coach Willie Green is going to have a big headache on his hands. He’s going to have to have tough conversations with the veterans while he has to manage egos and team cohesion.
If Ingram is traded, roles on the team will be much easier to define. He’s a solid playmaker, but he won’t have the ball in his hands as often with Dejounte Murray acquired to lead the offense.
With a penchant for mid-range shooting, Ingram doesn’t seem like a good fit for this starting group. Good luck trying to convince him to come off the bench, in a reduced role, in a potential contract year.
It’s something a veteran like CJ McCollum, who made a name for himself in the NBA, might be more willing to do. But in his current setup, Green would have at least one, if not two, unhappy players.
This is the main reason why the Ingram trade rumors started. New Orleans used a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft for Trey Murphy and it’s time for them to release him into an expanded role.
In fact, his playing time in the 2023-24 regular season has decreased compared to the 2022-23 campaign. That’s not something that can happen again, and the easiest way to find him a significant role is to trade Ingram.
If Ingram stays with the team, Murphy and Herbert Jones could be forced to sit on the bench. Murray won’t come off the bench and Zion Williamson is also guaranteed a starting role. Unless he starts at center, which is unlikely, Ingram would join him on the wing.
It seems unfair to pin most of the Pelicans’ problems on one player, because Ingram hasn’t done anything wrong. As the last piece of the Anthony Davis blockbuster left on the roster, parting ways with him is a tough decision.
But, for the betterment of the franchise and for the team to reach its potential, trading him is the best solution for both parties.
