The New Orleans Pelicans have made a definitive statement regarding their star player, Brandon Ingram: he is staying put, at least for the foreseeable future. Despite being eligible for a contract extension worth up to $208 million over four years, the Pelicans have opted not to offer Ingram this lucrative deal yet.
Ingram is set to earn $36 million in the 2024-25 season, a significant figure that underscores his importance to the team. However, the new collective-bargaining agreement complicates financial maneuvers for teams with high payrolls. If a team's payroll exceeds the first apron of $178.1 million, they face restrictions on taking back more salary than they send out. Furthermore, teams surpassing the second apron of $188.9 million are prohibited from aggregating multiple players' salaries in a trade.
Financial and Market Realities
David Griffin, the Pelicans' executive vice president of basketball operations, emphasized 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 stated.
Griffin also commented on the disparities between different NBA markets, noting, "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." This emphasizes the strategic financial planning small-market teams like the Pelicans must navigate.
The Ingram Conundrum
The Pelicans and Ingram's camp have reportedly explored potential trade scenarios involving a max extension with other teams. This indicates that while the intention is to keep Ingram, the realities of team management and payroll may lead to exploring other options.
Griffin shed light on the situation Brandon Ingram faced last season: "Brandon went from not playing to, 'OK, now you have to carry us.' It was a really bad situation for Brandon." Ingram started his tenure with the Pelicans by attempting 4.2 catch-and-shoot 3s per game, making 42% of them. However, these attempts have steadily declined each year.
Additionally, Ingram hyperextended his left knee a few weeks before the end of the last regular season, exacerbating the challenges the team faced. Zion Williamson also suffered a season-ending injury during the play-in tournament, further complicating the team’s dynamics.
Roster Changes and Strategic Moves
The Pelicans have experienced significant roster changes recently. They acquired Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks but let go of Jonas Valanciunas in free agency and lost Larry Nance Jr. in the Murray trade. To address their frontcourt depth, the team is reportedly counting on a combination of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
Griffin is pragmatic about the team's approach, highlighting, "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 strategy may be an effort to maximize the existing roster's strengths while navigating financial and competitive challenges.
Looking Ahead
The Pelicans are at a critical juncture, balancing their commitment to Brandon Ingram and financial pragmatism. Griffin's comments encapsulate this balancing act: "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." For now, the emphasis remains on maintaining core talent while strategically planning for both immediate and long-term success.