The New Orleans Pelicans have made their intentions abundantly clear: Brandon Ingram is a key piece of their future fabric, and he isn't going anywhere—for now.
Ingram, who is set to earn a hefty $36 million for the 2024-25 season, finds himself in an intriguing position. While he's eligible for a contract extension that could be worth up to $208 million over four years, the Pelicans have opted to hold off on offering this lucrative deal immediately.
Financial Realities and Strategic Decisions
The NBA's new collective-bargaining agreement is a significant factor in this decision. The agreement includes restrictions on team payrolls, noting that teams exceeding the first apron of $178.1 million cannot take back more salary than they send out. Moreover, teams over the second apron of $188.9 million are barred from aggregating multiple players' salaries in a trade. In light of these new financial constraints, both the Pelicans and Ingram's camp have reportedly explored potential trade scenarios involving a max extension with other teams.
David Griffin, President of Basketball Operations for the Pelicans, has been open about the financial intricacies involved. "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. He also emphasized the unique market conditions affecting their decisions, adding, "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."
Challenges and Adjustments
The challenges extend beyond financial implications. On the court, Ingram's role has evolved since he started with the Pelicans, where he initially attempted 4.2 catch-and-shoot 3s per game, making an impressive 42% of them. However, these attempts have steadily declined each year, mirroring some of the physical struggles he's faced. Ingram hyperextended his left knee a few weeks before the end of the last regular season, adding to the complications.
"Brandon went from not playing to, 'OK, now you have to carry us.' It was a really bad situation for Brandon," Griffin noted, highlighting the increased responsibility on Ingram, particularly in the absence of other key players like Zion Williamson, who suffered a season-ending injury during the play-in tournament.
Recent Roster Moves
Amid these individual challenges, the Pelicans have also made notable roster changes. The acquisition of Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks introduces new dynamics to the team, while the departures of Jonas Valanciunas in free agency and Larry Nance Jr. in the Murray trade have altered the roster landscape. The Pelicans are now counting on a combination of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to bolster their frontcourt depth.
Griffin acknowledged the complexity of their situation, stating, "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. 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."
Looking Ahead
While some critics point to the Pelicans' perceived deficiencies, Griffin remains optimistic about their strengths. "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," he said. This balanced approach underscores the Pelicans' strategic vision as they navigate both financial boundaries and on-court challenges.
Ingram's future with the Pelicans may remain a topic of speculation, but for now, both parties seem aligned in their commitment to finding a path forward amidst the complexity.