There is a growing belief in the NBA that the New Orleans Pelicans will be aggressively exploring the trade market for Brandon Ingram before the start of the 2024-25 season. This comes after the Pelicans were eliminated from the playoffs by the Thunder and Ingram struggled during that series, averaging 14.3 points per game. Despite this, he is still generating interest from several teams, including Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Orlando.
Executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin is expected to make significant changes following the Pelicans’ disappointing playoff exit. League sources suggest that Ingram’s departure is increasingly seen as inevitable rather than just a possibility. Ingram is entering the final year of his contract worth $36 million for the next season and is eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $208 million, but it seems like New Orleans is more interested in trading him rather than re-signing him.
There are reportedly fit concerns regarding the trio of Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Zion Williamson. The offensive numbers of the three players were not as impressive as expected, with their scoring rate similar to that of the 24th-ranked offense in the NBA. The Pelicans are looking to find better-fitting players to surround Ingram, McCollum, and Williamson, but it is not guaranteed that all three will remain with the team.
Despite their disappointing playoff exit, the Pelicans had one of their best seasons in recent years during the 2023-24 campaign. They finished with a 49-33 record and made it to the postseason after winning in the play-in tournament over the Kings. The team is looking to build on this success and make improvements to their roster for the upcoming season.
It is clear that the Pelicans are considering making changes to their lineup, with Brandon Ingram potentially being the center of these changes. With interest from multiple teams and the possibility of him being traded before the start of the 2024-25 season, the Pelicans are looking to improve and find better-fitting players to complement their core of younger talent. The future of Ingram with the team remains uncertain, but it seems likely that there will be significant moves made by the Pelicans in the offseason.
