The New Orleans Pelicans have made it clear: Brandon Ingram remains an essential part of their basketball future, at least for now. Despite this assertion, the franchise has chosen not to immediately offer him a lucrative contract extension, which could see the forward earn up to $208 million over four years.
Ingram is set to earn $36 million in the 2024-25 season, and the Pelicans, like other NBA teams, must navigate the complexities of a new collective-bargaining agreement. This agreement includes restrictions for teams whose payrolls exceed the first apron of $178.1 million, and even tighter constraints for those above the second apron of $188.9 million. Notably, teams over the second apron cannot aggregate multiple players' salaries in a trade—all of which impacts Ingram's contract situation.
Exploring Trade Scenarios
It's been reported that both the Pelicans and Ingram's camp have looked into potential trade scenarios involving a max extension with other teams. However, nothing concrete has materialized as of yet. This is indicative of the ongoing dilemma faced by smaller market teams in the NBA, constrained by financial realities that differ greatly from those of larger markets.
"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," said David Griffin, the Pelicans' Executive Vice President.
The Financial Balancing Act
Griffin further elaborated on the challenges faced by the organization in managing its payroll. "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 emphasized. This underscores the complex decision-making process the Pelicans must undergo as they determine how best to allocate their financial resources.
The constraints of the collective-bargaining agreement also mean that the Pelicans need to be cautious about future commitments. "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 remarked.
On-Court Struggles and Injuries
Adding to the complications, the Pelicans have faced significant on-court struggles. Ingram, who started his tenure with the team by attempting 4.2 catch-and-shoot 3s per game and making 42% of them, has seen these attempts steadily decline each year. This dip in performance metrics coincides with other challenges, including a hyperextension of his left knee just weeks before the end of the last regular season.
The Pelicans haven't had the best luck with injuries either. Zion Williamson suffered a season-ending injury during the play-in tournament, a significant blow to the team's postseason hopes. Despite these setbacks, the Pelicans are not standing still. They acquired Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, although they lost Larry Nance Jr. as part of this deal. Additionally, they let go of Jonas Valanciunas in free agency.
Strategic Moves for the Future
To bolster their frontcourt depth, the Pelicans are counting on a trio consisting of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. "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 noted, reflecting on the team's strategic approach.
Despite these challenges, Griffin remains optimistic about the team's 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 asserted. This optimism highlights the team's commitment to building a competitive roster, even within their financial constraints.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on the Pelicans to see how they navigate these multifaceted challenges while striving to keep Brandon Ingram and set themselves up for success. For now, the message from New Orleans is clear: Ingram is not going anywhere, but the road ahead remains as complex as ever.