The New Orleans Pelicans have made it abundantly clear: Brandon Ingram is staying put, at least for the foreseeable future.
Financial Realities and Contract Situations
Ingram, who is scheduled to earn $36 million in the 2024-25 season, is eligible for a contract extension that could be worth up to $208 million over four years. Despite this, the Pelicans have yet to offer him the lucrative extension. This decision is influenced by the complexities of the new collective-bargaining agreement, which imposes restrictions on teams with payrolls exceeding the first apron of $178.1 million. Specifically, teams over the second apron of $188.9 million are unable to aggregate multiple players' salaries in a trade.
David Griffin, the executive vice president of basketball operations for the Pelicans, highlighted the financial considerations in play. "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," Griffin stated.
Griffin further elaborated on the financial constraints, especially in smaller markets. "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."
This sentiment underscores the challenges the Pelicans face in building a competitive roster while managing their financial obligations. "When you don't have to pay them, you want all of them. And then when you actually have to hand them $50 million a year, mechanically, it gets complicated," Griffin added.
On-Court Dynamics
Ingram's performance metrics have seen fluctuations over the years. Starting his tenure with the Pelicans, Ingram attempted 4.2 catch-and-shoot 3-pointers per game, converting an impressive 42% of them. However, these attempts have steadily declined each year, reflecting adjustments in his role and the team's strategy.
Ingram's resilience was put to the test toward the end of the last regular season when he hyperextended his left knee, a setback that compounded the team's injury woes following Zion Williamson's season-ending injury during the play-in tournament.
Roster Changes and Strategic Vision
The Pelicans have seen significant roster changes in recent times. The acquisition of Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks was offset by the loss of key players like Jonas Valanciunas in free agency and Larry Nance Jr. in the Murray trade. To fill the void in their frontcourt, the team is reportedly relying on a mix of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
Griffin acknowledged the need for strategic decision-making: "Brandon went from not playing to, 'OK, now you have to carry us.' It was a really bad situation for Brandon." This highlights the challenges Ingram faced during periods of instability and injuries within the team.
Looking ahead, Griffin emphasized the need for tactical choices and a commitment to playing a unique style. "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."
He further noted the existing strengths of the team that they aim to maximize. "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 said.
As the Pelicans navigate the complexities of roster management and financial constraints, the organization's commitment to keeping Brandon Ingram signals their belief in his potential as a cornerstone of the team's future success. Ingram's performance and health will undoubtedly be pivotal as New Orleans charts its course in the competitive landscape of the NBA.