Report: Kings Pursuing Trade For Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram

According to NBA reporter Sean Cunningham, the Sacramento Kings are pursuing a trade for New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram. 

The Pelicans are open to trading Ingram, who is in the final year of his contract.

New Orleans doesn’t want to pay Ingram the maximum money he’s looking for. 

Sources confirm Sacramento Kings are pursuing a trade for Brandon Ingram. I’m told Kings have had discussions with the Pelicans and it’s worth noting, Ingram was an emerging star under coach Alvin Gentry, who works in Kings front office.

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) June 30, 2024

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 acquired Ingram from the Lakers in 2019. New Orleans hasn’t won a playoff series with Ingram. 

The Kings missed the playoffs in 2024 after making it in 2023. They lost the 8-9 play-in game to the Pelicans.

Mike Brown‘s group was ninth in the NBA in points per game, 17th in points per game allowed, 13th in offensive rating, 14th in defensive rating and 17th in net rating in 2023-24. 

Sacramento is looking to trade Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes, per NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. 

“The Kings have separately dangled a general trade package elsewhere around the league, including Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, the No. 13 pick, which turned out to be Devin Carter, and future draft picks in the years to come as trade bait during the NBA Draft, league sources said,” Scotto wrote. 

The Kings re-signed Malik Monk in free agency. It will be fascinating to see if the front office finds a way to acquire Ingram.