Report: Pelicans ‘Unlikely’ To Offer Brandon Ingram Max Extension; Cavaliers, 76ers Interested In Trading For Him

According to NBA reporter Will Guillory of The Athletic, the New Orleans Pelicans are “unlikely” to offer Brandon Ingram a max contract extension this offseason. 

Ingram is eligible for a four-year, $208 million extension this offseason. 

“Keeping him around will be complicated. Ingram, who turns 27 in September, is eligible for a four-year, $208 million extension this summer,” Guillory wrote. “Considering their current and future financial situation, the Pelicans are unlikely to offer him that maximum deal this offseason, league sources tell The Athletic.”

Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Pelicans this season while shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line. He has one year left on his contract. 

A source told Hoops Wire that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers are interested in trading for Ingram, who will make $36 million next season.

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 Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Pelicans in the first round of this year’s playoffs, the Sixers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round in six games and the Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games. 

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Pelicans are expected to explore the trade market for Ingram this offseason aggressively. New Orleans hasn’t won a playoff series since 2018. 

The Pelicans acquired Ingram from the Lakers in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade. New Orleans is 144-143 with Ingram in the lineup.

Philadelphia is projected to have around $60 million in cap space this offseason.

Meanwhile, Cleveland is looking to add more talent around Donovan Mitchell, who can sign a $208 million extension this offseason. The Sixers are in the same boat with Joel Embiid.