Ingram may be leaving the team.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram could be on his way out, according to Mark Stein of The Stein Line.
New Orleans finished the season in the first round. Zion Williamson had the healthiest regular season of his career, but he went down with another injury at a crucial time and couldn’t fill the void, 바카라사이트 leading to a first-round sweep.
Brandon Ingram, the other pillar of the team, had his worst season to date. He suffered through an extreme playoff slump, averaging just 14.3 points on 34.5% shooting in the playoffs as he was stymied by Lugentz Dot’s dedicated defense. With Zion out and Ingram struggling, New Orleans was helpless.
With the season over, Ingram is eligible for an extension this summer. However, there has been talk of him leaving New Orleans. There are plenty of reasons why New Orleans would be wise to hold onto their key player.
First of all, the synergy between Ingram and Zion, the team’s core, is not great. Plus, New Orleans is in the midst of extension talks with a promising swingman full of potential in Trey Murphy III. It might be better to focus on acquiring other resources rather than giving Ingram a big contract.
If so, local reports continue to suggest that Ingram, who has one year remaining on his contract, could be traded to another team. Stein also hinted that New Orleans would actively pursue a trade for Ingram. Eastern Conference teams looking to add depth at the forward position are likely candidates.
“Brandon Ingram is entering the final year of his contract, making $36 million next season. He could sign an extension this summer worth up to four years and $280 million, but New Orleans already has a potential replacement at his position in Trey Murphy III. Concerns about the offense when Ingram is paired with CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson persisted despite New Orleans’ 49 wins this season. Teams like Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Orlando have been rumored to be in the running for Ingram.”
“With Chicago hosting events like the lottery and draft combine, Ingram trade talk will be a popular topic. There is a growing belief around the league that New Orleans will aggressively explore trading Ingram before next season.”
While his performance this season has been somewhat disappointing, Ingram, who has averaged over 20 points per game for five straight seasons, is still an attractive proposition. His long arm and solid defense could be a good fit for the right team.
Expect Ingram to draw interest from teams looking for more than a playoff berth. Which team will he be in uniform for when the season kicks off next year?