Ingram's Future with Pelicans: A Delicate Balancing Act
The New Orleans Pelicans have taken a decisive stance on the future of star forward Brandon Ingram. The team has made it clear that Ingram isn't going anywhere, at least not in the immediate future. However, the financial aspects of keeping such a talented player present nuanced challenges for a franchise that operates in a markedly different financial stratosphere than some of its big-market counterparts.
Ingram, who is set to earn $36 million in the 2024-25 season, is eligible for a contract extension worth up to $208 million over four years. Despite this, the Pelicans have opted not to offer Ingram this lucrative extension just yet. “I think from a relationship standpoint, we've been really clear we'd prefer Brandon stays with us, and Brandon's been pretty clear he prefers to stay with us. At the same time, there is a financial reality to this... we’re committed to each other,” said Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, David Griffin.
The complexity doesn't end there. The NBA's new collective-bargaining agreement imposes significant restrictions on teams whose payrolls exceed certain thresholds. Teams with payrolls over the first apron of $178.1 million can’t take back more salary than they send out. Moreover, for teams exceeding the second apron of $188.9 million, aggregating multiple players' salaries in a trade becomes impossible. These constraints necessitate a strategic approach from the Pelicans' front office to manage their roster and salary cap effectively.
Both the Pelicans and Ingram’s camp have explored potential trade scenarios involving a max extension with other teams. This exploration indicates that, while the relationship remains strong, there's an understanding of the financial and competitive realities at play. “In some markets, you don't have to make any decisions: You get a max, and you get a max, and you get a max, and you hoard talent. We're not that market,” Griffin noted.
On the court, Ingram has faced his share of challenges and evolution since joining the Pelicans. Initially, he attempted 4.2 catch-and-shoot three-pointers per game, making an impressive 42% of them. However, these attempts have steadily declined each year. Compounding his challenges, Ingram hyperextended his left knee a few weeks before the end of the last regular season, which added another hurdle to his and the team’s aspirations.
Ingram wasn't alone in facing injury woes. The Pelicans also had to contend with a season-ending injury to Zion Williamson during the play-in tournament. The team's fortunes further fluctuated in the off-season as they acquired Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks but lost Larry Nance Jr. in the process. Additionally, the Pelicans let go of Jonas Valanciunas in free agency. These moves indicate a shift in the Pelicans' roster dynamics and strategic focus.
With these changes, the team is now reportedly counting on a combination of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to bolster their frontcourt depth. “Brandon went from not playing to, 'OK, now you have to carry us.' It was a really bad situation for Brandon,” Griffin explained. This sentiment underscores the erratic circumstances that Ingram has had to navigate within the organization.
While the road ahead may be filled with uncertainties and complex decisions, the Pelicans seem committed to finding a balanced approach. “So we gotta make choices, right?... we’re going to have to do this in a really unique way. And I think we’re pretty committed to playing small,” Griffin said, indicating a potential shift in tactical strategy for the team.
As the Pelicans and Ingram continue to navigate through these intricate scenarios, one thing remains clear: both parties are committed to each other. “I understand that everybody looks at the situation and goes, 'They’re missing this, they’re missing that,' but we also have a lot of strengths that we want to lean into,” Griffin summarized. This recognition of both the challenges and strengths will be crucial as the Pelicans strive to forge a path forward, keeping their eyes set on both performance and sustainability.