The New Orleans Pelicans have taken a firm stance regarding their star forward, Brandon Ingram. Despite the swirling rumors and speculation, the message is clear: Ingram is not on the move, at least for the time being. The 26-year-old, who will earn $36 million in the 2024-25 season, is a crucial piece for the Pelicans, both on the court and in terms of the team's financial strategy.
Ingram's Future and Financials
Eligible for a contract extension worth up to $208 million over four years, Ingram’s situation is complex. The Pelicans, while recognizing his value, have opted not to offer this lucrative extension yet. The new collective-bargaining agreement has also introduced key financial restrictions. Teams with payrolls exceeding the first apron of $178.1 million must navigate stringent rules when it comes to salary exchanges. For those over the second apron of $188.9 million, aggregating multiple player salaries in trades is not an option.
Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin succinctly outlined the organization's predicament. "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," Griffin said. "At the same time, there is a financial reality to this... we’re committed to each other."
Strategic Considerations
Griffin's candor extends to the broader financial realities facing smaller-market teams like New Orleans. "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 explained. This sentiment highlights the delicate balancing act the Pelicans must perform—retaining top talent while managing a sustainable payroll.
"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," Griffin added, shedding light on the intricacies of high-stakes financial management in the NBA.
On-Court Developments
Ingram’s trajectory with the Pelicans has seen him transition from a capable shooter to a more multifaceted scorer. Initially, he was attempting 4.2 catch-and-shoot three-pointers per game, making an impressive 42% of them. However, these attempts have steadily declined each year. Ingram's journey with the team hasn't been without physical challenges either. He hyperextended his left knee just weeks before the end of the last regular season, adding to the list of injury woes for the Pelicans, including Zion Williamson’s season-ending injury during the play-in tournament.
Roster Moves and Team Dynamics
New Orleans has been active in the trade market, recently acquiring Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks while seeing the departure of Jonas Valanciunas in free agency and Larry Nance Jr. in the Murray trade. The team is expected to rely on a combination of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to strengthen their frontcourt depth. Griffin emphasized the team's commitment to a unique approach, signaling a strategy of playing smaller rather than sticking to traditional lineups.
"Brandon went from not playing to, 'OK, now you have to carry us.' It was a really bad situation for Brandon," Griffin acknowledged, underscoring the burden placed on Ingram in the wake of injuries to key players. "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.
Despite the challenges and criticisms, Griffin remains optimistic about the team's prospects. "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," he explained, highlighting the potential and resilience within the squad.
For now, as the Pelicans navigate the intricate landscape of NBA finances and team strategy, one thing remains clear: Brandon Ingram is a cornerstone of their future plans, and both he and the organization are committed to making it work.