Report: Cavaliers Interested In Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram, But Trade Unlikely

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram. 

However, a trade is unlikely since the Cavaliers don’t want to part ways with Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen or Darius Garland. 

“Cleveland continues to be mentioned by league personnel as a possible alternative for Ingram, but there’s no straightforward path to making such a deal work with the Cavaliers,” Fischer wrote. “While Cleveland holds interest in Ingram and values his skillset, sources said, Cavs personnel have maintained a reluctance to breaking up the team’s core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, as NBA figures continue preparing for Mitchell to sign a lucrative extension. Without parting with Allen, who’s long been on New Orleans’ radar, it’s difficult to find a path to bring Ingram to Northeast Ohio.”

Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Pelicans in 2023-24 while shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line.

The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Pelicans in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. 

Ingram has career averages of 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers and Pelicans. He won the 2019-20 Most Improved Player of the Year Award. 

The Pelicans could trade Ingram if an extension isn’t reached. Ingram is in the final year of his contract. He’s been linked to the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings. 

New Orleans acquired Ingram from the Lakers in 2019 in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade. The Pelicans haven’t won a playoff series with Ingram. 

“Ingram has been listed among Philadelphia’s targets this offseason, sources said, somewhere below Paul George, although it’s not exactly clear where Ingram ranks among the Sixers’ proverbial group of wing targets to slot between Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey,” Fischer wrote.