The New Orleans Pelicans have emphatically stated that Brandon Ingram is staying put, at least for the foreseeable future. The small forward will be earning $36 million during the 2024-25 season, and while he's eligible for a contract extension worth up to $208 million over four years, the Pelicans have yet to offer him this deal.
Strategic Financial Decisions
The decision not to offer Ingram the lucrative extension immediately ties into the financial landscape shaped by the new collective bargaining agreement. Under the new rules, teams with payrolls exceeding the first apron of $178.1 million face restrictions on taking back more salary than they send out in trades. Moreover, those surpassing the second apron of $188.9 million cannot aggregate multiple players' salaries in a trade.
David Griffin, the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Pelicans, sheds light on the financial complexities 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 emphasized.
Exploring Trade Scenarios
Despite the mutual desire for Ingram to remain in New Orleans, both the Pelicans and Ingram's camp have explored potential trade scenarios involving a max extension with other teams. Griffin acknowledges the challenges smaller market teams like the Pelicans face. "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," he explains.
This pragmatic approach underlines the difficult choices the team must make, especially when significant financial commitments are involved. "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 adds.
Injuries and Performance
On the court, Ingram has shown both promise and setbacks. He started his tenure with the Pelicans by attempting 4.2 catch-and-shoot three-pointers per game and making an impressive 42% of them. However, these attempts have steadily declined each year, raising questions about his role and effectiveness in the current system.
Ingram's recent hyperextended left knee only adds another layer of complexity to his situation. This injury came just a few weeks before the end of the last regular season. Compounding the team's woes, Zion Williamson suffered a season-ending injury during the play-in tournament, further highlighting the fragility of the Pelicans' star lineup.
Roster Changes and Frontcourt Reinforcements
In an attempt to balance their roster, the Pelicans acquired Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks. While this move bolstered their backcourt, it came at a cost. The team let go of Jonas Valanciunas in free agency and lost Larry Nance Jr. in the Murray trade.
As the Pelicans navigate this transition, they are reportedly counting on a combination of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to strengthen their frontcourt depth. This strategy points to an evolving approach from the Pelicans' management, who aim to build a more versatile and resilient lineup.
Commitment to Playing Small
Despite the evident challenges, David Griffin remains optimistic about the team's direction. "Brandon went from not playing to, 'OK, now you have to carry us.' It was a really bad situation for Brandon," Griffin recalls, acknowledging the burden placed on Ingram during tough times.
Griffin's comments also indicate a shift towards a more adaptable style of play. "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 notes.
Griffin's steadfast belief in the team's strengths underlines his faith in the Pelicans' potential. "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 concludes.
As the Pelicans continue to build their roster and refine their strategies, the balance between financial prudence and on-court performance will be crucial. Brandon Ingram’s future with the team remains a focal point, with both parties expressing a desire to stay together amidst evolving challenges.