As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves at a crossroads with Brandon Ingram. The question on everyone’s mind: Has Ingram already played his final game for the Pelicans?
Trade rumors surrounding Ingram have been surprisingly quiet, especially since his ankle injury on December 7th. League personnel rarely mention his name in conversations, which is telling. The Pelicans may have missed their opportunity to move Ingram last year, as trading a player in the final year of their contract often yields a lower return.
Ingram’s desire for a max contract complicates matters. While he may feel he’s worth it, the reality is that few teams are willing to pay that price. This reluctance makes it challenging to guarantee his retention beyond next season if traded.
The Utah Jazz were once interested, but talks fell apart when it became clear Ingram wouldn’t re-sign there. This scenario highlights the dilemma facing potential suitors: Why give up valuable assets for a player who might leave after one season?
Ingram’s shot selection and playing style are also factors. While he’s increased his three-point attempts this season to a career-high 6.4 per game, 18 games isn’t enough to convince teams he’s fundamentally changed as a player. The sample size is too small compared to his previous three seasons.
There’s speculation that Ingram might return to play a week before the trade deadline, but I don’t believe this will significantly impact his trade value. A handful of games won’t sway opinions formed over years of observation.
If Ingram isn’t traded, the Pelicans face the possibility of letting him walk for nothing in free agency. While this sounds alarming, it might be preferable to taking on bad contracts that could hamper the team’s future flexibility.
The situation is further complicated by Ingram’s extended absence due to injury. There’s a possibility that even if he remains on the roster past the trade deadline, we might not see him play again this season. The reasons for this could range from injury management to potential behind-the-scenes tensions.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Brandon Ingram situation, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
• Impact of recent game postponement due to weather
• Zion Williamson’s playing time and its importance
• Organizational alignment issues within the Pelicans
