With Brandon Ingram up for a big contract extension, could the New Orleans Pelicans pass on giving him a max extension?
As we get ready for the offseason, the rumor mill is already churning for most teams. One of the teams that could have a big impact on the landscape of the NBA is the New Orleans Pelicans.
After one of their best seasons in franchise history, the Pelicans took a step forward this season. However, injuries in the playoffs helped result in them being ousted rather easily by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pelicans still have a young core with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, but they have a big decision to make regarding Ingram. This summer, Ingram is eligible for a massive contract extension. However, according to William Guillory of the Athletic, the New Orleans Pelicans likely won’t be offering that to Ingram. Here’s what he said about the situation in New Orleans. (H/T Bleacher Report)
If the Pelicans aren’t interested in giving Ingram an extension, he would be an intriguing trade candidate who would generate interest from multiple teams around the league. Guillory stated that “removing Ingram from the locker room would represent a massive shake-up for a young team still working to find itself,” but perhaps New Orleans would be better off recouping assets for him rather than risking him walking away in free agency next summer.
Making a decision on Ingram is something that the Pelicans need to figure out this summer, as they can’t risk losing him for nothing as a free agent. If the Pelicans don’t want to give Ingram the max, then trading him makes a lot of sense.
Brandon Ingram was one of the prizes the Pelicans got in return for Anthony Davis, and while he wouldn’t bring in that type of haul, the Pelicans could get some solid assets. While Ingram might have had a tough series against the Thunder, he is an All-Star caliber player and capable of helping a lot of teams.
As the summer starts for the New Orleans Pelicans, we will see what happens with Ingram.
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