Pelicans Stuck in Neutral: What’s Next for Brandon Ingram?

Let’s break this down, folks. The trade buzz surrounding Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram might sound spicy, but the reality? It’s lukewarm at best.

 That’s according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

Cleveland reportedly passed on the idea of flipping Jarrett Allen for Ingram this past offseason — which tells you something right away: even the Cavs, a team that’s perpetually hunting for more firepower, weren’t biting.

And while Ingram’s name has floated through the rumor mill, his market isn’t exactly boiling over. Sacramento? They were initially intrigued but veered off to land DeMar DeRozan instead.

Utah? Always game to poke around the edges of big moves but never got serious. Word is, the Jazz were way more focused on Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges.

And let’s be honest — teams around the league view Bridges as the shinier toy. Better defense, more adaptability, and you can slot him anywhere without disrupting the flow.

Picture Bridges cutting to the rim or locking down opposing wings alongside Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns in New York. Now, try plugging Ingram into that mix. Not the same fit, right?

The Lakers? Scouts whisper about a potential reunion, but L.A.’s front office seems locked in on bulking up the frontcourt and shoring up perimeter D to support LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Doesn’t scream “Ingram splash,” does it?

Then there’s the money. Few teams have the cap flexibility or assets to absorb a $30M+ contract without gutting their roster.

Take the Clippers. Sure, they could cobble together something around P.J. Tucker’s expiring deal, but why mess with a solid 14-10 start while Kawhi Leonard’s still in limbo? They already let Paul George walk to preserve flexibility — diving back into the trade chaos now feels unlikely.

What’s left? Well, the short-term payday path is gaining traction. Look at fellow Klutch clients. Fred VanVleet snagged $128M over three years from Houston, with a team option baked in. Isaiah Hartenstein got a sweet $87M deal from OKC under similar terms. Could Ingram follow suit? A two-year setup like James Harden’s Clippers deal might just broaden his trade appeal.

Of course, there’s always New Orleans, the team that still holds his rights. But the Pelicans have been cautious. Without a real chance to see Zion Williamson and Ingram healthy together for an extended run, can you blame them? They’re not shelling out max dollars on guesswork. It’s déjà vu all over again heading into the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

Until someone’s willing to make a bold move, Ingram stays in this limbo: a talented scorer stuck in a market that doesn’t quite know what to do with him.

Stay tuned. This one’s far from over — but don’t hold your breath for fireworks just yet.

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