The New Orleans Pelicans have confirmed the signing of a key 26-year-old player, strengthening head coach Willie Green’s roster. However, the complexities surrounding a potential trade or extension for forward Brandon Ingram continue to be a hot topic.
Pelicans’ vice president of basketball operations, David Griffin, has highlighted the challenges involved in trading Ingram. Due to the constraints imposed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the financial implications of the first and second apron, Ingram is “mechanically incapable of being traded,” Griffin explained on the NBA Sirius XM radio channel.
From a relational standpoint, both the Pelicans and Ingram have expressed a mutual desire to continue their partnership. “We’ve been really clear we prefer Brandon stay with us and Brandon’s been pretty clear he prefers to stay with us,” Griffin stated. However, financial realities pose a significant challenge. “There’s a financial reality to this. And where I think we can go in terms of paying Ingram and keeping this group together may not be as far as he and his agency would like us to be able to go.”
Ingram is seeking a four-year, $205 million max extension. If granted, this would mean the Pelicans would be committing around $150 million to Ingram, Zion Williamson, C.J. McCollum, and Dejounte Murray for the next season. This figure doesn’t include the potential extension for Trey Murphy III, which is also expected to be substantial. Consequently, the team would need to navigate tight financial waters, staying under the first and second aprons while extending Murphy and completing the roster.
Furthermore, exceeding the second apron triggers escalating tax penalties, a significant concern for team owners, including Gayle Benson.
Griffin acknowledged the unique financial pressures faced by the Pelicans compared to larger market teams. “We’re not in a market where we get to be wrong,” he remarked. Unlike some franchises that can afford multiple max contracts and hoard talent, the Pelicans must make strategic decisions to ensure the right fit and sustainability. “If there’s a way we can do that with Brandon in a sustainable way, we wanna do it. And I think he feels the same.”
Currently, the trade market for Ingram is relatively inactive. Shams Charania of The Athletic suggested that the Pelicans might wait until the regular season to consider trading the 26-year-old. The landscape could shift if injuries occur or if team dynamics change unexpectedly.
This waiting period could also provide New Orleans an opportunity to evaluate Ingram’s fit within the revamped roster, especially with Murray’s addition and the lack of a true starting-caliber center. If Ingram performs as impressively as he did in 2022, the Pelicans might be inclined to offer him a substantial contract. Conversely, if he underperforms, the team might seek to trade him for value before the deadline.
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