Brandon Ingram's Camp Joins Pelicans In Searching For Trade Scenarios

[RealGM Wiretap]

The New Orleans Pelicans have scoured Brandon Ingram's trade market and sources tell Marc Stein that his camp has also joined the efforts to find a solution. Ingram is seeking a four-year extension worth nearly $210 million. Ingram is represented by Jeff Schwartz and Jordan Gertler.

The Pelicans have made it clear they're not interested in an extension at that price tag, and no other team has emerged with that type of appetite either. Ingram is on a $36 million expiring contract.

The Pelicans would prefer not to have Ingram play out the final season of his contract on their team if they're unable to agree to terms on a more manageable contract. Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III are expected to have bigger roles for the Pelicans on the wings.

Via Marc Stein/The Stein Line

[Future Coach]

Grizzlies seem like they could be a good fit. Rockets could be a good fit too. & Utah is going to need to pay someone to reach that salary min each year. Same goes for Brooklyn. Plus the NBA cap set to rise steady over the next handful of years with the new media deal. Seems like there are deals to be made

[haste10176]

Grizzlies seem like they could be a good fit. Rockets could be a good fit too. & Utah is going to need to pay someone to reach that salary min each year. Same goes for Brooklyn. Plus the NBA cap set to rise steady over the next handful of years with the new media deal. Seems like there are deals to be made

Utah are not going to send back assests.. Noone wants to pay ingram 212m thats why he isnt being traded.

[babyjax13]

Grizzlies seem like they could be a good fit. Rockets could be a good fit too. & Utah is going to need to pay someone to reach that salary min each year. Same goes for Brooklyn. Plus the NBA cap set to rise steady over the next handful of years with the new media deal. Seems like there are deals to be made

Utah will be at the cap after renegotiating Lauri's contract.

[TheCage4]

I truly hope Memphis has zero interest.

[dubbmotta]

I think him complaining at FIBA that he wasn’t getting enough touches and playing time and this year crying he wasn’t getting the ball enough hurt his stock. That’s not what a team that’s trying to win want to hear.

[TheSundaySwami]

Grizzlies seem like they could be a good fit. Rockets could be a good fit too. & Utah is going to need to pay someone to reach that salary min each year. Same goes for Brooklyn. Plus the NBA cap set to rise steady over the next handful of years with the new media deal. Seems like there are deals to be made

Well we know your not a future gm, its always funny how people bring up the salary cap minimum without actually understanding it. If a team doesn't reach the minimum then the unused cap space to the minimum is equally distributed to the players so no team is ever thinking about the minimum and even if they were their not going to give up future flexibility with a long term contract(and trade assets) to reach the minimum because "they have to pay someone"

[RookieJazz]

I would like to have Ingram as a mentor for Cody Williams since their games are very similar. I hope Danny Ainge can get it for a bargain

[Pickled Prunes]

Grizzlies seem like they could be a good fit. Rockets could be a good fit too. & Utah is going to need to pay someone to reach that salary min each year. Same goes for Brooklyn. Plus the NBA cap set to rise steady over the next handful of years with the new media deal. Seems like there are deals to be made

Well we know your not a future gm, its always funny how people bring up the salary cap minimum without actually understanding it. If a team doesn't reach the minimum then the unused cap space to the minimum is equally distributed to the players so no team is ever thinking about the minimum and even if they were their not going to give up future flexibility with a long term contract(and trade assets) to reach the minimum because "they have to pay someone"

At team would always rather put a player (asset) in that salary spot than to distribute the difference amongst current players. It's also good to have a face to put on billboards to sell tickets and jerseys, as long as they don't accidentally win too many games. Typically those big names on bad teams put up numbers and their trade value goes up.

[Pickled Prunes]

Does "Ingram's Camp" think it can do what the NOP front office can't?

[TheSundaySwami]

Grizzlies seem like they could be a good fit. Rockets could be a good fit too. & Utah is going to need to pay someone to reach that salary min each year. Same goes for Brooklyn. Plus the NBA cap set to rise steady over the next handful of years with the new media deal. Seems like there are deals to be made

Well we know your not a future gm, its always funny how people bring up the salary cap minimum without actually understanding it. If a team doesn't reach the minimum then the unused cap space to the minimum is equally distributed to the players so no team is ever thinking about the minimum and even if they were their not going to give up future flexibility with a long term contract(and trade assets) to reach the minimum because "they have to pay someone"

At team would always rather put a player (asset) in that salary spot than to distribute the difference amongst current players. It's also good to have a face to put on billboards to sell tickets and jerseys, as long as they don't accidentally win too many games. Typically those big names on bad teams put up numbers and their trade value goes up.

Couple things wrong with what your saying. 1st Teams wouldn't "always" rather do that, the proof is its happened before. 2nd Ingram isn't selling tickets in any town. 3rd teams don't give up assets(draft picks) and long term flexibility to "put a face on a billboard". Those moves are teams acquiring players on shorter deals not someone with a yr left and who is expecting a 4 yr max extension. NO ONE is trading for and extending a player for a 4 yr max extension with the hope of "maybe he will improve his value".

[Pickled Prunes]

Well we know your not a future gm, its always funny how people bring up the salary cap minimum without actually understanding it. If a team doesn't reach the minimum then the unused cap space to the minimum is equally distributed to the players so no team is ever thinking about the minimum and even if they were their not going to give up future flexibility with a long term contract(and trade assets) to reach the minimum because "they have to pay someone"

At team would always rather put a player (asset) in that salary spot than to distribute the difference amongst current players. It's also good to have a face to put on billboards to sell tickets and jerseys, as long as they don't accidentally win too many games. Typically those big names on bad teams put up numbers and their trade value goes up.

Couple things wrong with what your saying. 1st Teams wouldn't "always" rather do that, the proof is its happened before. 2nd Ingram isn't selling tickets in any town. 3rd teams don't give up assets(draft picks) and long term flexibility to "put a face on a billboard". Those moves are teams acquiring players on shorter deals not someone with a yr left and who is expecting a 4 yr max extension. NO ONE is trading for and extending a player for a 4 yr max extension with the hope of "maybe he will improve his value".

Nope.
1) UTH isn't a couple of million under the salary floor.. they are about $19m under... which means they can take on $19m more in salary without paying a cent more. I expect they will take advantage of that.
2) You're feelings on Ingram have no bearing on his ability to sell tickets.
3) I don't think you know how good Ingram is. 21/6/6 as the 2nd option last season. 25/5/6 as the 1st option two seasons ago, on efficient (nearly 50/40/90) shooting. Ingram is an asset who's only issue in NOP is that he shares the same space as Zion. Ainge specializes in buy low/sell high. He will use that space on someone or someones.

[TheSundaySwami]

At team would always rather put a player (asset) in that salary spot than to distribute the difference amongst current players. It's also good to have a face to put on billboards to sell tickets and jerseys, as long as they don't accidentally win too many games. Typically those big names on bad teams put up numbers and their trade value goes up.

Couple things wrong with what your saying. 1st Teams wouldn't "always" rather do that, the proof is its happened before. 2nd Ingram isn't selling tickets in any town. 3rd teams don't give up assets(draft picks) and long term flexibility to "put a face on a billboard". Those moves are teams acquiring players on shorter deals not someone with a yr left and who is expecting a 4 yr max extension. NO ONE is trading for and extending a player for a 4 yr max extension with the hope of "maybe he will improve his value".

Nope.
1) UTH isn't a couple of million under the salary floor.. they are about $19m under... which means they can take on $19m more in salary without paying a cent more. I expect they will take advantage of that.
2) You're feelings on Ingram have no bearing on his ability to sell tickets.
3) I don't think you know how good Ingram is. 21/6/6 as the 2nd option last season. 25/5/6 as the 1st option two seasons ago, on efficient (nearly 50/40/90) shooting. Ingram is an asset who's only issue in NOP is that he shares the same space as Zion. Ainge specializes in buy low/sell high. He will use that space on someone or someones.

1st off I never said how much they were under the floor and I didn't say they wouldn't take advantage of it but you continue to fail to look past this season. You don't add huge contracts for what would be 5 years(4 year extension plus this seasons deal) because your looking at the floor for this season.
2nd The facts are what says Ingram isn't going to sell tickets, has nothing to do with my feelings. Are people lining up and purchasing his gear now? Are teams clamoring for him? The answer to both is no.
3rd I've never said anything bad about Ingram. That said if he's the #1 option on a team their not winning a chip. If he's the #2 option on a team, their not winning a chip. If he's the #3 option on a team THEN your talking.
4th This isn't buying low/selling high and again you continue to miss that. He wants a 4yr max extension and with the new tax aprons that will a burdensome contract in the future.

[Pickled Prunes]

Couple things wrong with what your saying. 1st Teams wouldn't "always" rather do that, the proof is its happened before. 2nd Ingram isn't selling tickets in any town. 3rd teams don't give up assets(draft picks) and long term flexibility to "put a face on a billboard". Those moves are teams acquiring players on shorter deals not someone with a yr left and who is expecting a 4 yr max extension. NO ONE is trading for and extending a player for a 4 yr max extension with the hope of "maybe he will improve his value".

Nope.
1) UTH isn't a couple of million under the salary floor.. they are about $19m under... which means they can take on $19m more in salary without paying a cent more. I expect they will take advantage of that.
2) You're feelings on Ingram have no bearing on his ability to sell tickets.
3) I don't think you know how good Ingram is. 21/6/6 as the 2nd option last season. 25/5/6 as the 1st option two seasons ago, on efficient (nearly 50/40/90) shooting. Ingram is an asset who's only issue in NOP is that he shares the same space as Zion. Ainge specializes in buy low/sell high. He will use that space on someone or someones.

1st off I never said how much they were under the floor and I didn't say they wouldn't take advantage of it but you continue to fail to look past this season. You don't add huge contracts for what would be 5 years(4 year extension plus this seasons deal) because your looking at the floor for this season.
2nd The facts are what says Ingram isn't going to sell tickets, has nothing to do with my feelings. Are people lining up and purchasing his gear now? Are teams clamoring for him? The answer to both is no.
3rd I've never said anything bad about Ingram. That said if he's the #1 option on a team their not winning a chip. If he's the #2 option on a team, their not winning a chip. If he's the #3 option on a team THEN your talking.
4th This isn't buying low/selling high and again you continue to miss that. He wants a 4yr max extension and with the new tax aprons that will a burdensome contract in the future.

1) It's not about needing to get to the floor. It's about taking advantage of the room. I'm sure you see how those things are different.
2a) NOP has the NBA's smallest metro population and Ingram is the 2nd option on that team. Zion was the most coveted prospect since Lebron and he hasn't ever cracked the top 10 in jersey sales. Wemby was #4 this season. You can't judge Ingram's marketability by his current situation. (I mean, maybe you think you can... but you can't.) Jordan Poole was 15th in Jersey sales two seasons ago, because of one good playoff run in GSW.
2b) We aren't talking about LaVine, who has been on the market for a few seasons now. This is a guy that just came on the market and maybe NOP want's to keep him and is just being cheap. We have no idea who is interested or what the asking price is or if NOP is actually shopping him. We do know that NOP is incentivized to move him, but that really has as much to do with Zions limitations than Ingram's. We also know that talks will be complex because Ingram is in his final season and will need to agree to resign if NOP wants to get significant value back. Lastly, we know that Cooper Flagg has about 10 teams in the NBA trying hard not to accidentally win too many games this season. So once again, any perceived lack in a trade market has more to do with what we don't know than what we do...
3) Here's what we do know: Ingram has averaged 23/5/5 over the past 5 seasons. If NOP was in the East, he would be a 5x All-Star. And that is all as a #2 on a team built around a #1 that rarely plays. Ingram was drafted the same year as Jaylen Brown and his career numbers are strikingly similar. So, do I think Ingram could be the best player on a championship team? I want to say "no", but I would have said the same about Brown and he's got that Finals MVP now. So maybe as one of the best players on the most stacked team in the NBA he could do it.... Either way, every team has interest in a 6-8 wing that will give you 23/5/5 on the season. Even those teams that aren't contenders. His ability to be a #1 on a contender does not determine his market value.
4) Buying low as in- assets given up vs. what he will be worth on that next contract. The funny thing is, I am not a big Ingram fan, but he IS a max player in this league. He will be a valuable trade piece, even on a max. Especially with the cap going up 10% each year. I expect that Ainge would try and get him to agree to take a smidge less than the max if he were to trade for him, but it will be close. Would you be mad about Collins and a 1st for Ingram? Collins and Kessler straight up?

All that said, I don't actually expect UTH to trade for Ingram. This conversation began as a discussion about the value of using that space under the salary floor. Trading for Ingram is just one way they could do that. I expect that he will end up staying in NOP or being moved to another non-contending, non-tanking team.

[TheSundaySwami]

Nope.
1) UTH isn't a couple of million under the salary floor.. they are about $19m under... which means they can take on $19m more in salary without paying a cent more. I expect they will take advantage of that.
2) You're feelings on Ingram have no bearing on his ability to sell tickets.
3) I don't think you know how good Ingram is. 21/6/6 as the 2nd option last season. 25/5/6 as the 1st option two seasons ago, on efficient (nearly 50/40/90) shooting. Ingram is an asset who's only issue in NOP is that he shares the same space as Zion. Ainge specializes in buy low/sell high. He will use that space on someone or someones.

1st off I never said how much they were under the floor and I didn't say they wouldn't take advantage of it but you continue to fail to look past this season. You don't add huge contracts for what would be 5 years(4 year extension plus this seasons deal) because your looking at the floor for this season.
2nd The facts are what says Ingram isn't going to sell tickets, has nothing to do with my feelings. Are people lining up and purchasing his gear now? Are teams clamoring for him? The answer to both is no.
3rd I've never said anything bad about Ingram. That said if he's the #1 option on a team their not winning a chip. If he's the #2 option on a team, their not winning a chip. If he's the #3 option on a team THEN your talking.
4th This isn't buying low/selling high and again you continue to miss that. He wants a 4yr max extension and with the new tax aprons that will a burdensome contract in the future.

1) It's not about needing to get to the floor. It's about taking advantage of the room. I'm sure you see how those things are different.
2a) NOP has the NBA's smallest metro population and Ingram is the 2nd option on that team. Zion was the most coveted prospect since Lebron and he hasn't ever cracked the top 10 in jersey sales. Wemby was #4 this season. You can't judge Ingram's marketability by his current situation. (I mean, maybe you think you can... but you can't.) Jordan Poole was 15th in Jersey sales two seasons ago, because of one good playoff run in GSW.
2b) We aren't talking about LaVine, who has been on the market for a few seasons now. This is a guy that just came on the market and maybe NOP want's to keep him and is just being cheap. We have no idea who is interested or what the asking price is or if NOP is actually shopping him. We do know that NOP is incentivized to move him, but that really has as much to do with Zions limitations than Ingram's. We also know that talks will be complex because Ingram is in his final season and will need to agree to resign if NOP wants to get significant value back. Lastly, we know that Cooper Flagg has about 10 teams in the NBA trying hard not to accidentally win too many games this season. So once again, any perceived lack in a trade market has more to do with what we don't know than what we do...
3) Here's what we do know: Ingram has averaged 23/5/5 over the past 5 seasons. If NOP was in the East, he would be a 5x All-Star. And that is all as a #2 on a team built around a #1 that rarely plays. Ingram was drafted the same year as Jaylen Brown and his career numbers are strikingly similar. So, do I think Ingram could be the best player on a championship team? I want to say "no", but I would have said the same about Brown and he's got that Finals MVP now. So maybe as one of the best players on the most stacked team in the NBA he could do it.... Either way, every team has interest in a 6-8 wing that will give you 23/5/5 on the season. Even those teams that aren't contenders. His ability to be a #1 on a contender does not determine his market value.
4) Buying low as in- assets given up vs. what he will be worth on that next contract. The funny thing is, I am not a big Ingram fan, but he IS a max player in this league. He will be a valuable trade piece, even on a max. Especially with the cap going up 10% each year. I expect that Ainge would try and get him to agree to take a smidge less than the max if he were to trade for him, but it will be close. Would you be mad about Collins and a 1st for Ingram? Collins and Kessler straight up?

All that said, I don't actually expect UTH to trade for Ingram. This conversation began as a discussion about the value of using that space under the salary floor. Trading for Ingram is just one way they could do that. I expect that he will end up staying in NOP or being moved to another non-contending, non-tanking team.

Now your just rambling without even reading.
1 I never said about getting to the floor or teams wouldn't take advantage of space they have
2nd You entirely can judge his marketability by what it's shown on his time in LA and NO. Bringing up Poole who was on his 1st team(a winning team) and was thought of highly at that time for his play doesn't help your point any.
3 Those numbers aren't Ingram as a number 2 option, those are his numbers as a number 1 option with as little as Zion has played over the years. Ingram isn't some hidden gem tucked away.
4.Thats incorrect and wishful thinking to think he will be a net positive on hisnnext deal with a max contract. The tax aprons and restrictions have changed the way teams look at contracts.

As for most of the rest, your just babbling trying to support yourself against counter points that I never made or said.

[Pickled Prunes]

1st off I never said how much they were under the floor and I didn't say they wouldn't take advantage of it but you continue to fail to look past this season. You don't add huge contracts for what would be 5 years(4 year extension plus this seasons deal) because your looking at the floor for this season.
2nd The facts are what says Ingram isn't going to sell tickets, has nothing to do with my feelings. Are people lining up and purchasing his gear now? Are teams clamoring for him? The answer to both is no.
3rd I've never said anything bad about Ingram. That said if he's the #1 option on a team their not winning a chip. If he's the #2 option on a team, their not winning a chip. If he's the #3 option on a team THEN your talking.
4th This isn't buying low/selling high and again you continue to miss that. He wants a 4yr max extension and with the new tax aprons that will a burdensome contract in the future.

1) It's not about needing to get to the floor. It's about taking advantage of the room. I'm sure you see how those things are different.
2a) NOP has the NBA's smallest metro population and Ingram is the 2nd option on that team. Zion was the most coveted prospect since Lebron and he hasn't ever cracked the top 10 in jersey sales. Wemby was #4 this season. You can't judge Ingram's marketability by his current situation. (I mean, maybe you think you can... but you can't.) Jordan Poole was 15th in Jersey sales two seasons ago, because of one good playoff run in GSW.
2b) We aren't talking about LaVine, who has been on the market for a few seasons now. This is a guy that just came on the market and maybe NOP want's to keep him and is just being cheap. We have no idea who is interested or what the asking price is or if NOP is actually shopping him. We do know that NOP is incentivized to move him, but that really has as much to do with Zions limitations than Ingram's. We also know that talks will be complex because Ingram is in his final season and will need to agree to resign if NOP wants to get significant value back. Lastly, we know that Cooper Flagg has about 10 teams in the NBA trying hard not to accidentally win too many games this season. So once again, any perceived lack in a trade market has more to do with what we don't know than what we do...
3) Here's what we do know: Ingram has averaged 23/5/5 over the past 5 seasons. If NOP was in the East, he would be a 5x All-Star. And that is all as a #2 on a team built around a #1 that rarely plays. Ingram was drafted the same year as Jaylen Brown and his career numbers are strikingly similar. So, do I think Ingram could be the best player on a championship team? I want to say "no", but I would have said the same about Brown and he's got that Finals MVP now. So maybe as one of the best players on the most stacked team in the NBA he could do it.... Either way, every team has interest in a 6-8 wing that will give you 23/5/5 on the season. Even those teams that aren't contenders. His ability to be a #1 on a contender does not determine his market value.
4) Buying low as in- assets given up vs. what he will be worth on that next contract. The funny thing is, I am not a big Ingram fan, but he IS a max player in this league. He will be a valuable trade piece, even on a max. Especially with the cap going up 10% each year. I expect that Ainge would try and get him to agree to take a smidge less than the max if he were to trade for him, but it will be close. Would you be mad about Collins and a 1st for Ingram? Collins and Kessler straight up?

All that said, I don't actually expect UTH to trade for Ingram. This conversation began as a discussion about the value of using that space under the salary floor. Trading for Ingram is just one way they could do that. I expect that he will end up staying in NOP or being moved to another non-contending, non-tanking team.

Now your just rambling without even reading.
1 I never said about getting to the floor or teams wouldn't take advantage of space they have
2nd You entirely can judge his marketability by what it's shown on his time in LA and NO. Bringing up Poole who was on his 1st team(a winning team) and was thought of highly at that time for his play doesn't help your point any.
3 Those numbers aren't Ingram as a number 2 option, those are his numbers as a number 1 option with as little as Zion has played over the years. Ingram isn't some hidden gem tucked away.
4.Thats incorrect and wishful thinking to think he will be a net positive on hisnnext deal with a max contract. The tax aprons and restrictions have changed the way teams look at contracts.

As for most of the rest, your just babbling trying to support yourself against counter points that I never made or said.

Ok, best of luck!

[Future Coach]

Sorry I am a little delayed following up on this...

First, I know enough about how the salary cap works in regards to the team min/floor, and I understand it can get distributed amongst the players already on the roster if a team doesn't meet the floor. I get it. Situations like that also are an opportunity for a team to potentially add a useful player and/or assets for little to no extra financial cost, because they would already be spending the team min amount anyways. Also, the min team salary amount will be rising steadily over the next several years. Of course, the exact amount hasn't been determined yet, but it will be rising with the new media deal. And the Pelicans have the opportunity to get some value in return for Ingram instead of letting him walk for nothing.


Then there is the reality that Brandon Ingram is a good player. Each of the teams I named - Grizzlies, Rockets, Utah, Brooklyn - could use a player like Brandon Ingram. Each team might need to be a little creative to make it happen, but it's possible. For example:
- The Grizzlies could send Marcus Smart, Kennard + pick(s), then have a line up locked in of Ja, Bane, Ingram, Jaren Jackson, Clarke/Edey locked in for the next few years to compete. And they would compete as that is a good and balanced lineup. A 3rd team might need to be involved to send Smart elsewhere, unless the Pelicans might want Smart to help light a fire under Zion.
- The Rockets could swap Dillon Brooks + Steven Adams/combo of other players and/or picks depending on how many players the Pelicans are willing to take on. Unless the Rockets really have big plans for Steven Adams, Ingram is an upgrade over Brooks.
- For Utah, I was more thinking they could be a good fit if they do end up trading Markkanen, as they will potentially absorb more players then they would send out and thus need to send out some players elsewhere, which Ingram works well for. But even as a solo trade, something centered around John Collins and maybe even Walker Kessler too could make sense for both teams. It will make Utah a bit better, balancing their roster, and yes it would add salary but that isn't really impacting them over the next few years with their extra draft picks.
- For Brooklyn, they've got a variety of trades that could work, and (similar to Utah) adding salary over the next few years isn't impacting them too much given the very limited salary already committed. Pelicans may most want Bogdanovic, but other players from Brooklyn could of interest and be moved too.

In each situation, each of the above teams has the potential to upgrade their starting SF position and maybe acquiring additional useful assets as well, while the Pelicans have a chance to at the very least get assets for Brandon Ingram (and likely even a useful player) instead of letting him walk for nothing. It may not be an earth-shattering trade for either team, but it presents an opportunity for each team to improve and/or capitalize on their current assets. Trades like these should happen more often in the NBA. Instead you have teams like the Bulls for the last however many years just sitting on their hands until it is far too late and they finally make some minimal trades.