Kofi Inkoom
Evan Sidery of Fox Sports reports that the Pelicans aren’t likely to extend Brandon Ingram’s contract this offseason, despite his eligibility for a lucrative four-year, $208 million deal. Instead, they seem inclined towards a different direction.
Consequently, there’s been a trade proposal by a NBA writer suggesting that the Detroit Pistons should acquire Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans.
According to Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, the proposed trade involves :
Pistons sending Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, and two future first-round picks with light protections to the Pelicans in exchange for Brandon Ingram.
Ingram, who posted impressive stats of 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists this season for the Pelicans, along with shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc, and 80.1% from the free-throw line, is eligible for an extension this summer.
Despite the Pelicans’ disappointing first-round playoff exit, being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Pistons finishing with the worst record in the NBA at 14-68, there’s a sense of urgency for Detroit to make moves this offseason, as highlighted by Buckley.
He suggests that acquiring a talent like Ingram could be a game-changer for the Pistons, especially considering their offensive struggles and the potential pairing with rising stars like Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
“The Pistons ‘need to do something’ this summer, as multiple executives told B/R’s Eric Pincus, and this would clearly qualify,” Buckley wrote. “But if Detroit wanted a big man at No. 1—probably Alexandre Sarr, but maybe the rapidly rising Donovan Clingan—it might feel like it could be without both Duren and Stewart….Especially if it meant landing a talent like Ingram, whose future in New Orleans feels tenuous at best following a rocky (and injury-impacted) finish to the campaign. The Pistons, which had this season’s fourth-least efficient offense, could use more scoring, creation and shooting, and Ingram helps check every box. He’s also young enough—27 in September—that Detroit has a little time to properly align the roster around him. And while he can serve as a primary offensive hub, he’s also not so ball-dominant that he’d get in the way of the ongoing development of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.”
Ingram holds career averages of 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. With New Orleans unlikely to extend his contract, Ingram emerges as a prime trade candidate, especially with his $36 million salary for the upcoming season, marking the final year of his current deal.