The New Orleans Pelicans are holding firm when it comes to star forward Brandon Ingram. Despite the allure of potential trade deals and the significant extension that Ingram is eligible for, the Pelicans' stance is clear: they want Ingram to remain a part of their core.
Financial Realities and Extension Deliberations
Ingram, 26, is on track to earn a hefty $36 million during the 2024-25 season. Additionally, he's eligible for a four-year contract extension worth up to $208 million. However, the Pelicans have yet to offer this lucrative extension, a move that speaks volumes about their current financial strategy. General Manager David Griffin shed some light on the complexities involved, noting, "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."
The intricacies of the new collective-bargaining agreement play a pivotal role in the Pelicans' decision-making. The agreement's clauses stipulate that teams with payrolls exceeding the first apron of $178.1 million face restrictions on taking back more salary than they send out. Teams that surpass the second apron of $188.9 million cannot combine multiple players' salaries in a trade. Given these financial constraints, Griffin and the Pelicans' front office must navigate cautiously.
Exploring Trade Scenarios
Reports indicate that both the Pelicans and Ingram's camp have entertained potential trade scenarios involving a max extension with other teams. The deliberative approach reflects the broader market dynamics and the specific challenges faced by smaller-market teams. As Griffin pointed out, "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."
Performance and Injury Concerns
On the court, Ingram's trajectory with the Pelicans has seen changes. Initially, he averaged 4.2 catch-and-shoot three-point attempts per game, hitting 42% of them. However, these attempts have steadily declined over subsequent seasons. Compounding the on-court challenges, Ingram hyperextended his left knee a few weeks before the end of last season, casting further uncertainty on his immediate impact.
The Pelicans' struggles didn't stop there. Star forward Zion Williamson was sidelined with a season-ending injury during the play-in tournament, which heavily affected the team's postseason aspirations. Griffin acknowledged the adverse situation, reflecting, "Brandon went from not playing to, 'OK, now you have to carry us.' It was a really bad situation for Brandon."
Roster Moves and Future Outlook
In the off-season, the Pelicans made several notable roster adjustments. They acquired guard Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, a move aimed at bolstering their backcourt. However, this acquisition came at a cost, as they parted ways with center Jonas Valanciunas in free agency and lost forward Larry Nance Jr. in the Murray trade. To address their frontcourt depth, the team now counts on a combination of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
Despite the turmoil, Griffin remains optimistic about the team's future, though he admits that strategic adjustments are necessary. "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 said. Griffin also emphasized the importance of focusing on the team's strengths, stating, "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."
Ultimately, while financial complexities and strategic considerations loom large, the Pelicans and Ingram seem committed to navigating these challenges together. As Griffin concluded, "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."