The New Orleans Pelicans have doubled down on their commitment to Brandon Ingram, making it clear that the star forward is central to their future plans, despite the financial complexities that loom large in today's NBA landscape. Set to earn $36 million in the 2024-25 season, Ingram is at a career crossroads with a lucrative contract extension on the horizon, which could see him pocket up to $208 million over four years. Yet, the Pelicans have opted to delay offering this extension so far.
David Griffin, the Pelicans' Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, stressed the mutual desire to maintain the current partnership between the team and Ingram. "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.
This financial reality is shaped by the new collective bargaining agreement, which implements stringent restrictions on managing team payrolls. Specifically, teams that exceed the first apron of $178.1 million face constraints on taking back more salary than they send out. Moreover, those surpassing the second apron of $188.9 million cannot combine multiple players' salaries in a trade. These provisions add layers of complexity to extending max contracts and assembling star-studded rosters.
The Pelicans and Ingram's camp have not ruled out exploring potential trade scenarios involving a max extension with other teams. However, Griffin highlighted the unique financial challenges posed by their market, saying, "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."
A Decline in Three-Point Attempts
Brandon Ingram's game has seen notable shifts during his tenure with the Pelicans. Initially averaging 4.2 catch-and-shoot three-pointers per game and converting 42% of these attempts, his long-range shooting efforts have declined steadily each year. This trend, coupled with injuries — such as a hyperextended left knee late last season — has added pressure on both Ingram and the team.
Zion Williamson's season-ending injury during the play-in tournament further complicated matters, thrusting Ingram into a challenging position. Griffin commented on the situation, saying, "Brandon went from not playing to, 'OK, now you have to carry us.' It was a really bad situation for Brandon."
Roster Moves and Frontcourt Depth
The Pelicans have made significant roster moves in their quest to build a competitive team. They acquired Dejounte Murray in a high-profile trade with the Atlanta Hawks, a move that cost them Larry Nance Jr. The team's decision to let go of Jonas Valanciunas in free agency has also raised eyebrows among analysts and fans alike.
In response, the Pelicans are relying on a combination of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to shore up their frontcourt depth. This approach reflects Griffin's strategy of playing small and making unique roster choices. "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," Griffin explained.
The Road Ahead
Despite the challenges and injuries, Griffin remains optimistic about the team's potential. He acknowledged public concerns but emphasized the strengths they aim to leverage. "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 remarked.
As the Pelicans navigate the intricate financial terrain and strategize for the upcoming seasons, Brandon Ingram's pivotal role cannot be understated. The choices they make in the near future regarding his contract and team composition will be critical in determining the trajectory of this franchise.