Raptors Active Ahead Of Trade Deadline, Linked To Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram

The Toronto Raptors are showing strong interest in New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.Brandon Imgram, Pelicans, NBA trade rumors

Ingram, who’s entering the final year of his contract paying him $36 million, was on the trade block this past offseason, but the Pelicans weren’t able to find a deal that met their expectations.

Despite this, Ingram’s situation remains one to watch, especially as he approaches free agency.

The Pelicans and Ingram have discussed a potential contract extension, but as Stein notes, they’re still apart on terms. With Ingram set to hit the open market, it makes sense that the Raptors are keeping an eye on the situation.

The buzz around Toronto comes as no surprise, as Raptors president Masai Ujiri is known for his ambition to return the franchise to contender status. Toronto began its reset last season when they moved off key veterans like OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, making it clear that Scottie Barnes is now the centerpiece of their future.

Ingram would fit nicely as a veteran scorer who can immediately contribute, giving the Raptors a proven option to surround Barnes with, while still keeping their long-term flexibility intact.

As the NBA trade deadline nears, the Raptors are expected to be active in a number of conversations. They’ve been rumored to be involved as a potential facilitator in larger deals, especially in a potential Jimmy Butler trade.

The Raptors also have a wealth of trade-friendly contracts — including Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, Chris Boucher, and Davion Mitchell — which gives them the flexibility to make a deal happen without having to give up their future in the process.

Trading for Ingram now would allow Toronto to add that much-needed scoring punch to their lineup while still positioning themselves for a potential high lottery pick in this year’s draft.

It’s also a move that could accelerate their rebuild and add a veteran presence that could help Barnes continue his development.

“Maybe the Raptors will still be part of the Butler deal that the Heat, according to league sources, are pushing harder than ever to get done in the next eight-ish days,” Stein wrote. “Or maybe Toronto will take a more grandiose swing.”

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