The New Orleans Pelicans have made their intentions clear regarding their star player, Brandon Ingram. Despite speculation and potential trade scenarios, the franchise is committed to retaining Ingram, at least for the foreseeable future.
Ingram, who is set to earn $36 million in the 2024-25 season, is eligible for a contract extension worth up to $208 million over four years. However, the Pelicans have chosen not to offer this lucrative extension just yet. The franchise's decision is influenced by the new constraints imposed by the collective bargaining agreement, which includes specific salary cap limitations. For instance, teams whose payroll exceeds the first apron of $178.1 million face restrictions on taking back more salary than they send out. Additionally, those above the second apron of $188.9 million cannot aggregate multiple players' salaries in a trade.
Exploring Trade Scenarios
Both the Pelicans and Ingram's camp have reportedly looked into possible trade scenarios involving a max extension with other teams. This exploration stems from the financial challenges faced by the franchise, as articulated by Pelicans' Vice President of Basketball Operations, David Griffin. "In some markets, you don't have to make any decisions: You get a max, and you get a max, and you get a max, and you hoard talent. We're not that market," Griffin stated.
Griffin further emphasized the financial realities that come into play when managing a roster with high-salary players. "When you don't have to pay them, you want all of them. And then when you actually have to hand them $50 million a year, mechanically, it gets complicated," he explained.
Brandon Ingram's Performance
Ingram's tenure with the Pelicans began on a high note, with him attempting 4.2 catch-and-shoot 3s per game and making 42% of them. However, these attempts have steadily declined over the years. Ingram also faced a challenging season, having hyperextended his left knee just a few weeks before the end of the last regular season. Zion Williamson's season-ending injury during the play-in tournament added to the team's woes.
A Changing Roster
The Pelicans have seen significant changes to their roster. They acquired Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, which cost them Larry Nance Jr. Additionally, the team decided to let go of Jonas Valanciunas in free agency. To bolster their frontcourt depth, the Pelicans are relying on a combination of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
Franchise Commitment
Despite the financial and performance challenges, the Pelicans remain committed to Brandon Ingram. "I think from a relationship standpoint, we've been really clear we'd prefer Brandon stays with us, and Brandon's been pretty clear he prefers to stay with us. At the same time, there is a financial reality to this... we’re committed to each other," Griffin affirmed. This mutual commitment is crucial for both parties as they navigate the complexities of the modern NBA.
Strategic Decisions Ahead
Griffin acknowledges the tough decisions ahead for the franchise. "So we gotta make choices, right?... we’re going to have to do this in a really unique way. And I think we’re pretty committed to playing small," he noted. The Pelicans are keen on leveraging their strengths while addressing the perceived gaps in their roster. "I understand that everybody looks at the situation and goes, 'They’re missing this, they’re missing that,' but we also have a lot of strengths that we want to lean into," Griffin added.
As the Pelicans prepare for the upcoming season, the situation with Brandon Ingram will be a focal point. How the team manages its financial constraints while striving to remain competitive in a demanding Western Conference will be an intriguing storyline to follow.