Brandon Ingram's Future with the Pelicans: A Complex Financial Situation
The New Orleans Pelicans have firmly stated their intention to keep Brandon Ingram on their roster, at least for the foreseeable future. Set to earn $36 million during the 2024-25 season, Ingram's contributions to the team are viewed as invaluable by both the franchise and its fanbase. However, the financial intricacies involved make the situation far from straightforward.
Ingram is eligible for a contract extension worth up to $208 million over four years, a substantial sum that the Pelicans have yet to offer. According to David Griffin, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Pelicans, the organization is committed to retaining Ingram but must navigate financial realities. "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 remarked.
The current collective-bargaining agreement imposes restrictions that complicate such decisions, especially for teams exceeding certain payroll thresholds. For example, teams with payrolls exceeding the first apron of $178.1 million face limitations on taking back more salary than they send out. This rule becomes even more stringent for teams above the second apron of $188.9 million, prohibiting them from aggregating multiple players' salaries in a trade.
These financial constraints influence the Pelicans' cautious approach to offering Ingram a max extension. Griffin elaborates, "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." The implications are clear: Ingram’s contract situation isn't just a matter of talent but also one of financial strategy.
Compounding the uncertainty, both the Pelicans and Ingram's camp have explored potential trade scenarios involving a max extension with other teams. This exploration indicates that while both parties are inclined to maintain their partnership, they are also pragmatic about the complexities involved.
On the court, Ingram's performance has seen fluctuations. When he first joined the Pelicans, he attempted 4.2 catch-and-shoot three-pointers per game, converting an impressive 42% of them. However, these attempts have steadily declined each year. The team has also faced hardships with player injuries; Ingram hyperextended his left knee just weeks before the end of the last regular season, while Zion Williamson suffered a season-ending injury during the play-in tournament.
The Pelicans' recent acquisitions and roster changes further complicate the picture. They notably acquired Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, a move aimed at bolstering their backcourt. However, they lost Jonas Valanciunas to free agency and Larry Nance Jr. in the Murray trade. To compensate, they are banking on a combination of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to enhance their frontcourt depth.
Griffin acknowledges these challenges, stating, "Brandon went from not playing to, 'OK, now you have to carry us.' It was a really bad situation for Brandon." He adds, "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." This admission underscores the precarious balance the team must maintain between financial constraints and on-court performance.
Despite the hurdles, Griffin strikes a tone of cautious optimism. "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 says. As the Pelicans navigate this complex landscape, the fate of Brandon Ingram remains a pivotal element in their broader strategy.