Pelicans Intensifying Efforts To Trade Brandon Ingram

The New Orleans Pelicans have put the pedal to the medal in their attempts to trade Brandon Ingram, it seems.

Or per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, those efforts have “intensified in recent days,” as the NBA now gets ready for Summer League season.

“Sources tell The Stein Line that on Ingram’s side, with the reality that the contract extension terms his camp had hoped for are not forthcoming from the Pelicans, there has likewise been exploration of trade options,” Stein wrote.

In other words, Ingram appears plenty open to a trade as well.

Sources have told Hoops Wire that the San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets have emerged as potential Ingram suitors, as have the Atlanta Hawks, who will soon officially move guard Dejounte Murray to New Orleans. Perhaps that trade could be expanded if the Hawks are truly that interested in Ingram.

Stein lists the Sacramento Kings as another team that’s expected to get in on the Ingram sweepstakes.

Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Pelicans in 2023-24, shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% on 3-pointers and 80.1% from the free-throw line.

He carries 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. 

“Brandon wants to stay here. He believes in what we’re building,” Pelicans head of basketball operations David Griffin told reporters late last month. “That’s meaningful to us. … At the same time, there’s a financial reality that we all deal with. We’re excited about Brandon. We know he’s excited about us.”