New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram is in the final season of his contract, and the Pelicans are likely either going to extend him or trade him by this year’s deadline, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Charania also explained that Ingram has a desire to be in a winning environment, something that hasn’t been the case for the Pelicans this season, as they are just 4-18 through 22 games and have dropped nine games in a row.
"I'm told Brandon Ingram wants to be part of a winning competitive environment."@ShamsCharania with the latest on Brandon Ingram signing with Klutch Sports Group. pic.twitter.com/wgi9YIfXvP
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 3, 2024
“Essentially Malika [Andrews], where this is going to go is it’s going to end in a trade or extension,” Charania said of Ingram. “In the offseason, the two sides were not able to come to an agreement – Ingram and the Pelicans – on an extension. He has now changed agents. He is with Klutch Sports.
“And, we will know in the coming months before the NBA trade deadline in February where this will go. It is expected that extension conversations will occur at some point as we get closer and into January. But as of right now, I’m told Brandon Ingram wants to be a part of a winning, competitive environment.”
The Pelicans have dealt with a ton of injuries this season, as Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Ingram, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins have all missed time.
Out of that group of players, Ingram has appeared in the most games (16) for New Orleans this season. He’s averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Ingram’s lack of desire to re-sign with the Utah Jazz killed a trade between Utah and New Orleans.
The Jazz aren’t much better than the Pelicans this season, as they are just 4-16 and in the No. 14 spot in the Western Conference.
If the Pelicans can turn things around – especially if they get more players healthy – it’s possible that Ingram would be more open to extending his deal with the franchise.
If the two sides cannot come to an agreement, the one-time All-Star would likely be a hot commodity at the trade deadline for any team that wants to keep him for the long haul. It’s also possible a contender could entertain trading for him to make a run in the 2024-25 season, even if it doesn’t plan on extending Ingram beyond this season.
Ingram is in his sixth season in New Orleans and helped the Pelicans make the playoffs last season. Unfortunately, they were swept in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder, ending their season.
